Document Actions
Completed Grants
Up one levelStudy of the Effect of Vegetation on Micro-Climates and Residential Energy Use in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Energy conservation attributable to trees through direct shading, evapotranspiration, and wind shielding is experienced locally in lower utility bills and reduced peak energy demand. On the larger scale, a reduction in energy use implies lower emissions of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide) from the burning of fossil fuels.
The Forest Where We Live
The Forest Where We Live, a one hour documentary produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and narrated by actor Sam Waterston, tells the story of a fascinating and endangered habitat that eighty percent of our citizens call home: America's urban forests. Urban forests are critical components of every day life for the majority of Americans, yet they are often overlooked or taken for granted by most citizens.
Evaluating Air Quality Effects of Urban Trees: Developing Directionally Sound Programs For Use in State Ozone Attainment Goals
A previous ACRT project determined that there is a significant potential for developing credits within federally required State Implementation Plans, based on ozone reduction due to urban forests, which can be used to fund future long-term urban forest management. Before these credits can be pursued, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs evidence that the approach is directionally sound.
Growing Hope: Children, Trees, and Urban Public Housing
Intuitions tell us that a barren, concrete courtyard is an inhumane place to raise children, and yet policymakers managing tight budgets consistently treat green spaces for children as amenities. Is nearby nature merely a luxury for children? The purpose of this work was to determine whether access to nature has any systematic effects on children's healthy development, and to document and disseminate the findings.
T.R.E.E.S.: Transagency Resources for Environmental and Economic Sustainability
Recognizing the connection between the many costly problems that annually beset our urban environment -- and the negative repercussions on the city and outlying regions of some of our current attempts at solutions -- TreePeople sought to unify the efforts of federal, state, county, and local government agencies who each endeavor to address some aspect of these problems through their separate jurisdictions. With the help of the NUCFAC/U.S. Forest Service grant, and sponsorship from a variety of public agencies and environmental groups, TreePeople created the Transagency Resources for Economic and Environmental Sustainability (T.R.E.E.S.).
Urban Ecological Analysis Expanding the Economic Cost/Benefits Model to Include Air, Water, and Energy
The Urban Ecosystem Analysis (UEA) process established in "Economic Benefits and Costs of the Urban Forest In Low Income and Non-Low Income Communities" was expanded to analyze the benefits of trees for improving air quality, specifically calculating carbon storage and carbon sequestration. This project analyzed the air quality benefits of trees in three cities: Austin, Baltimore, and Milwaukee and calculated its economic value.
Economic Benefits and Costs of the Urban Forest In Low Income and Non-Low Income Communities
American Forests developed a method to measure ecological benefits of urban trees, called the Urban Ecosystem Analysis (UEA). The UEA uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and scientific research to quantify the economic benefits of trees for slowing stormwater runoff and reducing summer residential energy use.
Young Citizen Pruners for Today & Tomorrow
The New York City metropolitan region faces a long-term tree crisis. Active citizen education and participation in tree care and its management is the only realistic way the region can hope to combat this crisis. The Young Citizen Pruners for Today and Tomorrow (YCPTT) Program motivates, educates, trains and integrates youth into educational and volunteer programs for continuity to ensure future free care.
Benefits of Large Trees Relative to Maintenance Costs To Private Tree Owners
Large, mature shade trees provide a substantial range of environmental benefits, such as improving air quality, reducing storm water runoff, reducing greenhouse gases, and lowering building energy use. The environmental benefits derived from large trees can often be ascribed as an economic value, which further enhances their direct importance to communities.
Using Benefit/Cost Analysis to Manage an Urban Forest
There is a growing body of research that proves the tangible benefits trees can provide to people in cities. Research findings have been applied in benefit and cost modeling to justify investments in tree programs. However, examples of communities using benefit and cost results in urban forest planning and management are lacking.
Bottom-Line Benefit Partnership. The Urban Forest and the Development Community: Using Bottom-Line Benefits to Shift the Paradigm
This project was conducted to determine the values and beliefs that commercial developers have about tree preservation and planting, collect existing data that addressed those beliefs, and accumulate anecdotal data from commercial developers that incorporate trees in their developments about the bottom line benefits of trees. This information was used to develop communication tools and messages that may be more effective at influencing beliefs and changing practices of the commercial development community.
A Comparison of the Benefits and Costs of Tree Cover Between Two Prairie Communities
The purpose of this study was to describe and contrast the benefits and costs of tree cover between two cities. The communities examined were North Eagle Butte and Murdo, South Dakota. Both communities are located on the short-grass prairie of western South Dakota.
The Economics of Tree Preservation in Developing Urban Areas
During a period of approximately two and one-half years, tree preservation ordinances from several regions of the United States were reviewed for common requirements and language. In addition, time and materials data were collected from home construction and tree preservation activities on building sites and interviews with professionals performing these tasks.
Urban Forest Benefit/Cost Identification
Davey Resource Group, ISA Research Trust, Communication Research Associates, and the Society of Municipal Arborists developed materials urban foresters can use to identify and communicate the benefits and costs of urban forests on a community-by-community basis.
Study of Energy Conservation Through Vegetation Management, Ann Arbor, MI
Computer models have shown that proper placement of trees around climate-controlled buildings can significantly contribute to energy conservation by lowering cooling requirements in summer months and heating requirements in the winter. A study conducted in Ann Arbor, Michigan, used electric and natural gas utility company records to examine energy demand for homes in three areas with distinctly different levels of tree stocking.
Feasibility Study of Urban Forest's Economic Value for USEPA Air Pollution and Carbon Sequestering Emission Reduction Credits and/or Mitigation Trading
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policies provide that air pollution and carbon sequestering can be sold to manufacturers or utilities mandated to reduce their emissions. Urban forestry emission reduction credits (ERCs) could be established for carbon sequestering and certain air pollutants mitigated by trees.
