Urban Forestry. The Original Green Solution. August 10, 2013

Transcription

1 Urban Forestry The Original Green Solution August 10, 2013

2 Discussion 15 minutes What benefits do you think are most important? What is the urban forest worth? What are the costs/risks of the urban forest?

3 Urban Forest Opinion Poll

4 What is Urban Forestry? Then TREE =

5 What is Urban Forestry? Now TREE = Air Purification Agent Carbon Sequestration Device Electric Bill Savings Apparatus Natural Hydrological Decelerator and Filtration Mechanism Water Quality Improvement Machine Revenue and Profit Generator Thermal Radiation Modulator Alternative Transportation Provocation Provision Structural Biological Habitat Foundational Element

6 Real Sustainability Benefits Sustainability glamour = efficiency Environmental Social Economic Triple-bottom-line decision-making

7 The Austin Feel People I talk to say they moved to Austin because of the green and the trees Lee Leffingwell, Arbor Day 2012

8 Austin Growth Projected economic growth rate, : 6.1% Population growth rate: 2.8% Current metro population: 1.8 million - Source (photo and info): forbes.com

9 Overview of Urban Forest Benefits Environmental Social Economic SOURCES Nationally-recognized peer-reviewed studies 2008 Austin Inventory and STRATUM analysis

10 Environmental: Urban Heat Island Trees = Swamp coolers Mature tree canopy reduces air temperatures by about 5-10 F. -Source: University of Washington College of Forest Resources. Urban Forest Values: Economic Benefits of Trees in Cities. Rep. Center for Human Horticulture, Web.

11 Environmental: Air Quality & Health Trees = air filters & health clubs Childhood asthma rates were highest in parts of the city where tree density was lowest Children and youth living in greener neighborhoods have lower body mass index. Source: Lovasi, G. S. et al, Bell, Janice et al, 2008

12 Environmental: Water Quality Trees = green stormwater infrastructure Urban forest can reduce annual stormwater runoff by 2 7 percent Austin: Street trees produce $2,948,331 annually in stormwater benefits (2008 Stratum) Source: Fazio and James. 2009

13 Environmental: Carbon Sequestration Trees = carbon sinks Each year an acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon produced by driving a car for 26,000 miles. Individual urban trees contain about 4x more carbon than individual forest trees Austin: 34M lb sequestered Sources: Nowak and Crane, 2002 Nowak STRATUM report

14 Environmental: Wildlife Habitat & Shelter No data How could we measure this?

15 Social: Crime Reduction Trees = crime deterrents High levels of greenery = 52% fewer crimes than those without any trees 25% domestic violence Austin:? Sources: Kuo, F.E., and W.C. Sullivan Kuo and Sullivan, Photo: worldjournalism.syr.edu

16 Social: Quality of Life Trees = happiness In areas with more trees, people Feel more unity and cohesion with neighbors Like where they live Feel safer Austin:? Photo: Austin Chronicle

17 Social: Physical and Mental Health Trees = therapists and personal trainers Workers without views of trees = 23% more sick days Residents in areas with highest level of greenery = 40% less likely to be overweight or obese Sources: Kaplan and Kaplan, 1999 Ellaway et all, 2005 Photo: 365thingsaustin.com

18 Social: Protection from UV Rays Trees = sunblock Direct sunlight: 20 minutes until sunburn Full tree shade: 100 minutes until sunburn Austin: relevant! Sources: Purdue University, 2003 Photo: myaustinevents.com

19 Social: Traffic calming & accident reduction Trees = traffic calming devices Toronto study: trees = 5-20% reduction in accidents and increased pedestrian use of streetscapes Austin:? Sources: Wolf and Bratton, 2006

20 Sidebar: Alternative Transportation Austin: Opinion Poll: 75% said tree canopy had an influence on using alternative transportation

21 Economic: Road Maintenance Trees = maintenance cost savers 20% street shade = 11% in road condition (60% cost savings) Austin: 86% of streets have less than 25% shade Sources: Geiger, J.R. and S.L. Gardner, 2006

22 Economic: Business Benefits Trees = profit Shoppers spend 9-12% more in well-treed central business districts 7% higher commercial office rental rates Austin:? Sources: Wolf, 2006 Laverne and Winson-Geideman, nd Street, Downtown Austin

23 Economic: Property Values Trees = equity Presence of trees = up to 37% increase in property value (typically closer to 5-10%) Austin: $5.5M (2008) in aesthetic/other benefits Sources: Foster et al, 2011 Austin 2008 STRATUM

24 Economic: Energy Use Trees = energy savers 20% canopy cover over a house = up to 18% savings in cooling costs Austin: $1.3M annually (street trees only) Sources: Foster et al, 2011 Austin 2008 STRATUM

25 THE BOTTOM LINE Urban forests in the U.S. provide essential services to more than 220 million people (supporting 79% of the population) Austin Cost-Benefit Ratio: 1: 9.87

26 City Council Resolution The City Manager is directed to assess the value and benefits that public trees provide to the community and to various municipal functions, such as urban heat island reduction and stormwater management. This assessment should be performed using existing city resources to the greatest extent feasible and should quantify the value and benefits of both street and non-street public trees. The City Manager will evaluate the adequacy of the current level of care provided by all city departments with tree-related programs and activities and shall evaluate whether each program can provide the care necessary to preserve and maintain this infrastructure. The City Manager shall consider adjustments to tree-related service delivery that could prove more efficient and cost effective, including potential consolidation and/or repositioning of tree-related programs as well as expanded funding opportunities such as the use of enterprise funds, existing environmental fees and assessments, and multi-departmental cost sharing.

27 Urban Forestry Program Goals Training city staff and citizens Education/Outreach city staff and citizens Increase tree canopy Improve overall forest health Resource inventory/assessment Sustainability

28 Mission The mission of the Austin Urban Forest Management Program is To provide, protect and preserve the highest quality care of Austin s urban forest through planting, maintenance and replacement of trees in parks, along streets and in other public areas, thereby contributing to positive recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community.

29 What can you do? Plant trees Care for trees Volunteer professional services Support events Raise funds Advise and plan Inventory/monitor Educate and advocate

30 Partners Friends of.. Urban Forestry Board Chambers of Commerce, Improvement Districts Texas Forest Service/Other State Community Groups Corporate City Departments Many, many more

31 Resources University of Texas Local consultants Urban Forest Grant Program City Arborists Office Others?

32 Discussion 15 minutes How could we measure the benefits in Austin?

33 Comprehensive Urban Forest Plan The What? and Why? Example Policy Element: Control non-native invasive plant species on publicly-managed land The How? Example Related Department Action: Implement the Invasive Species Management Plan on [Department] property Public Input Meeting Tuesday, August 13, 3-7pm, Ruiz Library ACTION!