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1. Expanding the Stewardship of America’s Urban Natural Resources: The Role of the USDA Forest Service FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.1 Presented By: Michael T. Rains USDA Forest Service May 23, 2013 The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA R&D: Research and Development

2. What We Will Cover…Quickly: Urban Waters Federal Partnership The “Philadelphia Site” The Philadelphia Field Station Public-Private Partnership Rural to Urban Land Gradient Landscape Scale Conservation New Directions Investments Urban Natural Resources Stewardship FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.2

3. USDA Forest Service Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service National Forest System Research and Development State and Private Forestry Northern Research Station Science Themes Forest Disturbances Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment UES.3 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

4. Northern Research Station • 20 states plus 4 (FIA). • 140 scientists at 24 sites. • 14 research work units. • 23 Experimental Forests. • Challenges: • Future predictions. • Forest disturbances. • Urban stewardship. • Sustaining forests. • Clean air and water. • Forest inventory. NRS Geographical Footprint UES.4 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

5. Urban and Rural Population in the United States (1790 to 2000) Now, it is about 83% urban In 1920, the urban and rural population were about equal. UES.5 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

6. 3 Major Points to Think About UNRS The majority of Americans live in urban areas. This trend will continue. We must be more attentive to the urban natural resources to help improve people’s lives. A Driving Question: How can we ensure sound Urban Natural Resources Stewardship (UNRS) in order to “…effectively link environmental health with community well-being?” UES.6 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

7. A Rural to Urban Land Gradient John, don’t you just love the West? In the past, the Forest Service cared primarily for rural lands and served people in that setting. Now, we are emphasizing “caring for land and serving people, where they live” -- including the urban setting. • …FAST FACTS… • 851 MM Acres for Forestland in U.S. • 134 MM Acres = National Forests. • 103 MM Acres = Urban Forests. • Forest Service has a direct and indirect • role on about 80 % of all forestlands. UES.7 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

8. The Beginning; 1978 The Formal Beginning of “Urban and Community Forestry” in the Forest Service Was To: “…to ensure the benefits of preserving existing tree cover in urban areas and communities” “…An appropriate focus then; now too narrowly defined.” UES.8 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

9. UNRS Now • We Are Moving From an “Urban and Community Forestry” Program To “Urban Natural Resources Stewardship.” “…A much more comprehensive approach.” UES.9 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

10. UNRS • “Urban Natural Resources Stewardship” • Includes Several Themes: • Sustaining and expanding the urban natural resources. • Environmental literacy. • Job and career opportunities. • Economic development and diversification. • Generating and managing information. • Partnership and intergovernmental coordination. • Citizen engagement and volunteerism. UES.10 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

11. We are expanding our public service role! Urban Field Stations Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service National Forest System Research and Development State and Private Forestry Northern Research Station Science Themes Forest Disturbances Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment • Urban Field Stations • New York City, NY • Baltimore, MD • Evanston, IL • Philadelphia, PA Research Work Units NRS-08 Philadelphia Field Station UES.11 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

12. Philadelphia Field Station Dr. Dave Nowak RWU Leader Syracuse, NY Northern Research Station Urban Natural Resources Stewardship RWU NRS-08: Urban Forests, Human Health, and Environmental Quality Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) Sarah Low: PFS Coordinator Mission: “…to foster collaboration and facilitatescience, science-delivery, and communication to improve Urban Natural Resources Stewardship.” PFS officially launched by Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell on March 10, 2011 UES.12 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

13. PFS Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) • UNRS Focus: • Research • Science-delivery • Communications • Tools (new technology) Location: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 N. 20th Street - 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Telephone: 215-988-8800 • PFS Current Staff: • Sarah Low, Coordinator and Biological Scientist • Michael Leff, Research Urban Forester • Becky Schwartz, Science Delivery and Outreach Intern • Jason Henning, Research Urban Forester • Michelle Kondo, Postdoctoral Fellow • Lara Roman, Research Scientist Michael ♦ Sarah ♦ Michelle ♦ Becky ♦ Jason Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. Lara UES.13 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

14. PFS Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) Some New Directions • Resource analysis (including development of methods for responding to natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy). • Integrated modeling (with an emphasis on linking ecological changes with economic impacts). • Futuring methods (allowing stakeholders to explore alternative futures, identify desired futures and develop strategies to get there). Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. UES.14 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

15. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) The New “Philadelphia Site” (Delaware River Watershed) Including: Chester, PA; Wilmington, DE; and, Camden, NJ USDA; NOAA; and DOI Co-Leaders Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) A coordinating role 7 Original Pilot Projects • “…From the water’s source to the faucet, the Partnership is ‘banding together, sharing resources and avoiding duplication’ to improve America’s waters and the associated communities.” 11 New Sites UES.15 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

16. Epilogue Urban Natural Resources Stewardship: We must embrace the notion now and form a stronger, more cohesive program direction for our land and the people we serve, where they live.” UES.16 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level

17. Questions? “…Think big, act big” UES.17 FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level