Urban Forestry
Contents
- Introduction
- Laws and Regulations
- Urban Forestry Plans
- Urban Forestry Programs
- Reference Sources
- Links to Government Agencies and Nonprofits
- Related MRSC Pages
- Forests, Trees, and Landscaping - Topical Listing of MRSC Webpages
- Tree Conservation, Management and Protection - Ordinance Provisions
Introduction
The purpose of this page is to provide local government decision-makers with information about urban forestry in Washington State. State and local officials work with parks and recreation departments, land use planners, utilities, and citizen organizations to promote and manage urban forestry resources. Urban forestry is the management of urban forest ecosystems. These ecosystems may be varied or complex, in the form of city parks, watersheds, public rights-of-way, and other public lands. These ecosystems include trees, street trees, plants, animals, natural landmarks and waterways. The benefits of urban forests to citizens include heightened recreational and cultural opportunities, energy conservation, improved stormwater management, enhanced biodiversity, plant and animal enrichment, increased environmental educational opportunities, and higher economic and property values.
We would appreciate your comments, leads to additional useful information, and information about your jurisdiction's activities. Send your comments and suggested additions to the page editor or call 206-625-1300.
Laws and Regulations
Statutes
- Ch. 35.105 - Urban Forest Management
- RCW 35A.80.040 - Code cities encouraged to provide utility customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry
- Ch. 76.09 RCW - Forest Practices
- Ch. 76.15 RCW - Community and Urban Forestry
- RCW 80.28.300 - Gas and electrical companies authorized to provide customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry
- Evergreen Communities Act, Department of Natural Resources (E2SHB 2844)
Administrative Regulations
- Title 222 WAC - Forest Practices Board
Urban Forestry Plans
- Bainbridge Island Community Forest Management Plan(
), 2006
- Lacey Urban Forest Management Plan (), 2005
- Olympia Comprehensive Plan Urban Forestry Element
- Tacoma Comprehensive Plan Urban Forest Policy Element (), 2010
- Vancouver Urban Forestry Management Plan, 12/2007 ()
- Walla Walla Urban Forest Management Plan ()
Urban Forestry Programs
- Lake Forest Park Tree Walks in Lake Forest Park, prepared by David Hepp and the Urban Forest Task Force, 2008
- Olympia
- Seattle
- Seattle ReLeaf
- Seattle Parks and Recreation Urban Forest Restoration Program
- Snoqualmie Urban Forestry Program
- Spokane Municipal Code Sec. 12.02.904 – Urban Forestry Program
- Tacoma Urban Forestry, EverGreen Tacoma
- Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry
Reference Sources
- General Guides
- A Guide to Community and Urban Forestry Programming (), Washington State Department of Commerce and the Evergreen Communities Partnership Task Force
- Planning for Urban and Community Forestry, American Planning Association
- Guidelines for Developing and Evaluating Tree Ordinances, International Society of Arboriculture
- Urban Tree Conservation: A White Paper on Local Ordinances, by Sandra S. Nichols, Montgomery, AL Tree Committee, 09/2007
- A Guide to Community and Urban Forestry Programming (
- Gypsy Moth in North America, USDA Forest Service
- Plant Lists
- Exploring Native Plants, Washington Native Plant Society
- Seattle Recommended Street Trees - Seattle Department of Transportation's lists of recommended trees to plant within local right-of-ways
- Trees of Washington (), by Milton M. Mosher, Washington State University Cooperative Extension Bulletin, EB0440
- Tree Identification, Tree Link
Links to Government Agencies and NonProfits
Government Agencies
- Natural Resources and Environment, National Agriculture Library
- National Agroforestry Center
- Urban and Community Forestry, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
- University of Washington School of Forest Resources
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Community and Urban Forestry Program - Includes grant information
- Washington State University Cooperative Extension
Private and Nonprofit Agencies
- American Forests - The nation's oldest nonprofit citizen conservation organization
- International Society of Arboriculture
- National Arbor Day Foundation
- National Association of State Foresters
- Society of American Foresters
- Society of Municipal Arborists
- Tree Link - The community forest resource sponsored by the USDA Forest Service
- University of Washington - Washington Park Arboretum
- Urban Forestry for Public Works, American Public Works Association - Project supported by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council
- Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute - Addresses the need for improved management of urban forests. UFEI provides a center for applied research and technology transfer.
- Washington Forest Protection Association - Trade association representing private forest landowners in Washington State.
Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Urban forest management