by Naomi Zürcher | Oct 9, 2017 | Events
From Simone Borelli:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the City of Mantova, the Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF) and the Politecnico di Milano are pleased to announce the 1st World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF). The WFUF will bring together representatives of national and local governments, research and academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), urban planners, urban foresters, arborists, landscape architects and designers and professionals from many other sectors to exchange experience and lessons learned, and discuss possible long-term collaboration on the development of urban forestry strategies and the identification of nature-based solutions towards a greener, healthier, and happier future.
The key objectives of the WFUF are:
- Supporting the process of the New Urban Agenda and optimizing actions related to urban ecosystems and green spaces.
- Creating an international appointment (through periodic worldwide meetings) for the urban forest and green infrastructure actors and stakeholders.
- Strengthening the already existing international networking by creating concrete opportunities to meet and exchange experiences and build partnerships.
- Launching a Mantova Green Cities Challenge towards a better quality of life in world cities.
The aim of this first Forum is to highlight positive examples of planning, design and management approaches of cities with diverse cultures, forms, structures and histories, which have used urban forestry and green infrastructure to develop economic and environmental services and to strengthen social cohesion and public involvement.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Mantova!
(Additional details on the venue and programme will follow soonest)
by Naomi Zürcher | Sep 26, 2017 | Events
SERM 2018
The April 20 – 28, 2018 SERM conference will be organized by APEF ( Portuguese forestry students association) in sunny Lisbon, Portugal, hosting 22 countries and participation of over 44 people. Program and conference details can be found at the SERM website:
https://infoserm18pt.wixsite.com/serm2018
by Naomi Zürcher | Sep 19, 2017 | Articles
We know that connecting with nature is good for our health, thanks to a growing body of evidence. But how do we measure a “dose” of nature? Do we get the same benefits from having plants in our offices that we do from gardening in our yards? Is looking at a picture of the ocean the same as seeing it in person?
In the article linked, scientists discuss a research effort, focused on questions like these, that has the potential to yield public health insights.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/how-do-you-measure-dose-nature
by Naomi Zürcher | Sep 7, 2017 | Events
September Urban Forest Webinars
Title: Municipal Forestry: Baseline, Trends and Dashboard
Date & Time: Thursday, 7 September, 6:00PM BST, 7:00PM CEST, 8:00PM EEST.
Learn how US companies are managing and funding tree care operations. Dr. Hauer will cover a broad array of topics from tree risk programs and budgets to volunteers in municipal forestry including a discussion of his interactive dashboard that allows you to evaluate your existing municipal urban forestry program and define steps to improve it.
Presented by: Dr. Hauer, Professor of Urban Forestry, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point
Where: Pre registration required: http://treefund.org/webinars
Title: Adapting Landscape Plants, Policies, and Management to a Water-Limited Future
Date & Time: Wednesday, 13 September, 6:00PM BST, 7:00PM CEST, 8:00PM EEST
Climate change, growing populations and demands on water increase the vulnerability of critical water supplies, resulting in a varied range of policies and community choices in urban water management. A thorough understanding of available strategies and their potential outcomes including appropriate urban landscape plant selection and tree and shrub irrigation needs. Tom Brown will present his work from the 2020 RPA Assessment regarding changes in temperature, precipitation as well as water yield, demand and shortages. Heidi Kratsch will discuss irrigation practices that can be adapted to water shortages and increasing water costs while sustaining urban trees.
Presented by: Tom Brow, USDA Forest Service and Heidi Kratsch, University of Nevada, Reno.
Where: Webinar at https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/ucf/
Use the above link to access the webinar room starting 15 minutes prior to the webinar start time. Enter the webinar as a guest by typing your name in the name box and click the “Enter Room” button.
Title: Urban Green Spaces and Health
Date & Time: Thursday, 14 September, 7:00PM BST, 8:00PM CEST, 9:00PM EEST.
An increasing amount of research has shown that trees and green spaces are cornerstones for healthy urban environments. Green spaces support stress relief and recovery from mental fatigue, contributing substantially to the health and well-being of urban residents. Dr. van den Bosch will outline pathways and mechanisms behind the health effects from urban natural environments as well as discuss present obstacles to policy and practice implementation and suggestions for potential ways forward.
Presented by: (our very own) Dr. Matilda van den Bosch, Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health and the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences.
Where: REGISTER https://nasevents.webex.com/mw3200/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=nasevents&service=6&rnd=0.850538751399084&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnasevents.webex.com%2Fec3200%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b0000000429ed40ca7ac33ffbf79e454978ce06146b84aeab68607635c523b85fef29e081%26siteurl%3Dnasevents%26confViewID%3D69640704623672414%26SourceId%3Dubc%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAAQ0hQmpDQWlDzR5j2hFDpbm7bZQlTWCcRh4NYS1PmXSTQ2%26
by Naomi Zürcher | Aug 29, 2017 | Survey
Treed residential street
West Virginia TCUSA iTree Canopy Survey – 08-17-2017
Now that i-Tree Eco is available throughout Europe (once local required data has been submitted, e.g. local air pollution stats), examples of how i-Tree is currently being used globally can provide interesting food for thought. The State of West Virginia conducted an i-Tree Canopy Survey, using data from 16 Tree City USA cities. Tree City USA is a national program that provides a framework for urban and community forestry management throughout the US. Many thanks to the authors of the study: Matthew Walker, Angela Sakazaki, Robert Eckenrode, Gregory Dahle as well as the West Virginia Division of Forestry, Urban Forestry for sharing the report with EFUF and to Greg Dahle for his assistance.
