Community Forest Planning: Lessons Learned · The Vision: What We Plan For zHealthy urban forest...

Dr. Greg McPhersonCenter for Urban Forest Research

Pacific Southwest Research StationU.S.D.A. Forest Service

Davis, CAhttp://cufr.ucdavis.edu

Community Forest Planning:Community Forest Planning:Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Center for Urban Forest ResearchCenter for Urban Forest Research

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The Vision: What We Plan ForThe Vision: What We Plan ForHealthy urban forest ecosystemsStable and cohesive forest canopyA safe, attractive environmentTrees creating sense of placeMaximize net benefitsCoordinated and efficient managementAmple fundingPublic recognition


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The Reality: What We Settle ForThe Reality: What We Settle ForLittle public awareness of benefitsFragmented responsibilitiesInadequate budgetsContinued “downsizing” of street treesRemoval rates exceeding planting ratesEscalating costs and foregone benefits


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Common Elements in Common Elements in Urban Forest Management Urban Forest Management

Plans Plans Mission/VisionEnvironment & HistoryVegetation ResourceDesign Goals Planting GoalsPlant PaletteManagement GoalsMaintenance Goals and Standards


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Into the Black Hole: Life Into the Black Hole: Life History of Four California History of Four California

Urban Forest Plans Urban Forest Plans What Worked and Why?What Failed and Why?Lessons Learned for Making Strong, Implementable PlansPlans for:– Lafayette– Oakland– Santa Cruz– San Francisco


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Trees for LafayetteTrees for Lafayette1975 by Russ BeattyResponse to Rapid GrowthEducational (non-regulatory)Broad Citywide Vision– History– Streetscape Guidelines– Prominent Tree Groves– Planting/Preservation/Maintenance– Tree Selection Guide


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Implementation ResultsImplementation Results

Success: Streamside Restoration– Clear goal, plan review

process workedFailures: – Heritage tree program– Education program– EBMUD planting


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Oakland GreenstreetsOakland Greenstreets1982 by Urban Trees Design Group$450,000 CDBG fundingRebellion Against 1948 PlanPlanting Contracted to Non-ProfitReference Document for Tree Selection/Care– Environmental data– Administrative procedures– Tree planting instructions– Trees for major streets– Trees for neighborhoods– Management and maintenance


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Success– Restored sense of community– Tree planting: 62% major streets, 17% other

Failures– Strong design form– Management

Useful life span IPMComputer databaseContract growing

– Maintenance– Administrative Center

Implementation ResultsImplementation Results


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Santa Cruz County Urban Santa Cruz County Urban Forestry Master PlanForestry Master Plan

Wolfe Mason Assoc. 1992Economic Development– Visual identity and beautification– Major street planting with redevelopment– Other streets planted by neighborhood volunteers

Sophisticated Plan– Purpose– Guiding principles– Overall design theme– Management program– Volunteer program


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Implementation ResultsImplementation ResultsSuccess– Planting goals (8 of 12 projects)

700 trees mitigating redevelopment impacts– Management: work scheduling, training,

inspectionFailures– Design goals (many deviations)– Management

IPMComputer databaseOrdinance changesTrain building inspectors

– Volunteer programLimited outreachLack of structure and leadership


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The Trees of San FranciscoThe Trees of San Francisco1991 by Dept of Public Works and City Tree Advisory BoardGoal: Maximize resources and guide development of the urban forestElements:– Background & History– Goals– Objectives and Policies– Tree Management Plan (Design)– Plan Implementation


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Implementation ResultsImplementation ResultsSuccess– Tree planting: 75% (3,700/yr)– Coordination: planting and

maintenance– Management

Computer databaseWork scheduling, trainingRecyclingTree Corps

Failures– Design: site conditions not addressed– Management

Useful life spanIPMPG&E notify of intent to prune


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What Worked?What Worked?Broad Goals MetTree Planting (50-70% of goal)Management– Scheduling work– Training– Heritage tree program


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What Didn’t Work?What Didn’t Work?Design Goals Inter- and Intra-agency coordinationManagement– Diversity and Useful Life Span– IPM– Computerized tree database– Contract growing– Education programs


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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Clear and Consistent GoalsKeep it SimpleIdentify Strong SupportersObtain Initial FundingLink Design, Management, EnforcementFind an Imagined Enemy


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Management PlansManagement Plans

Operational Capacity

PoliticalManagementMission

Communicate Communicate with officials with officials and leverage and leverage success to success to increase increase

legitimacy

Increase public Increase public activities,activities,

collaboration, collaboration, and and

improve access improve access to information

legitimacyto information

Build an evaluation Build an evaluation culture with plans, data culture with plans, data collection, assessment, collection, assessment, & reporting& reporting

Community Forest Planning: Lessons Learned · The Vision: What We Plan For zHealthy urban forest...

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