Full Circle Urban Forestry

Transcription

1 Full Circle Urban Forestry Edith Makra IL EAB Wood Utilization Team and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

2 Overview Urban forestry Manage trees from seed to sawdust Urban forest vs traditional forest Stewards of the Urban Forest Urban Timber Forest industry in cities and towns Urban Forest Products Alliance & other networks

3 Trees are viewed and managed as an integrated urban forest It is the forest where we live It is the forest where we live

4 Manage the urban forest like a forest Manage the whole forest with clear objective Trees are at their highest value while mature and thriving Stable forest canopy is the goal Diversity of species Diversity of age Preserve mature trees Keep planting regularly Nourish roots mulch Cull weak trees Harvest trees at the end of their life

5 Urban Forests - the urban ecosystem Trees and People Chicago region 8.6 million people 157 million trees We know them by name!

6 Urban Forests Public Stewards Cities and towns Chicago region 1.5% of trees are street trees Park districts Motivation quality of life Transportation agencies road, rail Utilities (private) Chicago region government agencies in 284 communities Motivation safety, quality of life

7 Urban Forests Private Stewards Institutions golf courses, cemeteries, colleges, corporations Community / Homeowner associations Chicago region 22% of all residential land managed by homeowners association Homeowners Community stewards Motivation quality of life

8 Tree Industry Seed to Sawdust Growers and Nurseries Landscape architects, designers, retail garden centers Landscape contractors Tree care companies

9 Tree Care Industry Services Individual tree care pruning, pests, speciality work Institutional and governmental contractual tree care Removal Secondary mulch market Target for wood utilization process More than 2000 companies (association members) Generate some 12 million tons of woody debris/yr

10 Urban Forest Investment by Municipalities Tree City USA award for public tree stewardship Requires communities spend $2 per capita annually Chicago region average* $18 per capita Estimate $144 million/ year For 1.5% of the trees! *from emerald ash borer grant data

11 Trees are valuable over their lifetime

12 After decades of giving. Is this the best stewardship?

13 Turning urban trees into products involves the entire wood use chain Arborists fell trees, harvesting logs Sawyers mill logs into lumber Woodworkers build wood products from lumber Intermediaries specify and sell wood products End users buy finished wood products

14 High Profile Model Project Arborist Village of Wilmette Sawyer Horigan Urban Forest Products Woodworker Royce Bats Intermediary Village President Canning End User Wilmette Little League (Leonard s Look, Bats not Ashes)

15 Elements of an Urban Timber Industry in Place Chicago area Supply estimated 8 million bd ft. year available Demand 38 bd ft/ annual per capita consumption Surveyed 1,625 secondary manufacturers 50 companies reported using 62,445 bd ft lumber annually Small scale milling industry Demonstration projects Wood waste prohibited from landfill

16 Public Sector Demand for Green Products 83% are purchasing green 89% consider recycled materials 50% consider local materials 83% would buy green if more expensive depending on price & product

17 Consumer Demand for Green Products Survey of 250 global senior business executives* 33% cannot keep up with customer demand for green products 60% charge more 5 20% more for sustainable products Perceived as a permanent shift in consumer preference * Price Waterhouse & Accenture

18 Elements of an Urban Timber Industry Lacking Chicago area Space to harvest trees Confined urban areas increases costs Equipment and storage to handle logs Consistency of supply and quality Market demand Essential to tree industry participation

19 Urban Timber Harvesting Challenges

20 Opportunities for biomass Renewable energy Portfolio sets energy efficiency goals Funding for energy efficiency and renewables

21 Urban Forest Products Leaders US Forest Service Wood Education Resource Center Funded most research, education and capacity building Pioneer in education Maintains network through webinars Tree Care Industry Association Preparing American National Standards Institute (ANSI) urban wood standard Wood Mizer Education and marketing

22 Vision: All wood from urban trees is put to good use. Mission: The Urban Forest Products Alliance advances the sustainable recovery and the highest and best use of the products of urban forests. For more info: Urban Forest Products Alliance LinkedIn Group

23 Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team (WUT) Goal: to encourage the harvesting and use of wood from urban and community trees felled in Illinois. Team: 15 government, academic, and industry leaders Fundamental Work: Outreach and engagement Education Marketing Research

24 Urban Wood Businesses

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