science about the trees and forests where people live, work, play, and learn

1. What Should we Know?An Assessment of Urban Forestry Research Needs in the Pacific Northwest (J Forestry, Jan/Feb 2010) science about the trees and forests where people live, work, play, and learn Project methods: Nearly 60 stakeholders (representing private and public sectors, NGOs and academia) provided input about research needs during a two-phase Delphi process in 2006 & 2007. Input was sorted by three themes, based on a model of urban forest sustainability (Clark et al. 1997, J of Arboriculture). Forest Resource Needs Forest Management Needs Human Dimensions Needs • address urbanization & development impacts • health, conservation & retention • aquatic resource quality & stormwater management • habitat loss & fragmentation • invasive species detection & management • climate change & carbon dynamics • adequate tree spaces • loss of biodiversity & ecological complexity • adequate funding & staff • integrate with other city systems • develop/implement best practices • better policy, code & regulations • political vision, awareness & knowledge • implement ecosystem services/ green infrastructure • conduct consistent & routine management • inventory, assessment & monitoring • programs at regional or landscape scale • improve public appreciation & understanding • lack of public & elected leadership • understand & recognize human & economic benefits • integration across institutions & agencies • volunteers & citizen stewards • private property action & user conflicts • enable appropriate uses & interactions Project collaborators:US Forest Service, PNW Research Station; Univ of Washington, Forest Resources For more information: Dr. Linda Kruger, lkruger@fs.fed.us; Dr. Kathleen Wolf, kwolf@u.washington.edu