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Benefits of Urban Forestry

Over 40 years of research have shown Urban Forests  are beneficial to  people, wildlife, economies, and the environment.  Below are just some of the many benefits of urban forests. 

Social 
Promote Well-being - Reduce stress, heart rate, blood pressure. General mental & spiritual well-being is improved
Karden et. al, 2015, Ulmer et al., 2016
Social
Reduce Crime Rates & Violence Well-managed urban forests reduce crime by encouraging the presence of people, promoting mental health, & creating an aura of a cared for environment.
Parker, 2018; Troy, Grove, and O’Neill-Dunne, 2012
Social 
Promote Health - Encourage physical activity, decreasing obesity, asthma, & other chronic conditions.  Decreases recovery time. Increases energy levels
Ulrich, 1992; Cooper Marcus, 2007;  Mytton, Townsend, Rutter, & Foster, 2012
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Social
Improve Road Safety - Reduce fatigue & stress, slow traffic, and  increase attention
Mok, Landphair, & Naderi, 2006; Naderi, 2003
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Social
Inspire a Sense of Community  - People in treed areas have a stronger feeling of unity & cohesion with neighbours. They  like where they are living more

I

Kuo, 2003; Westphal, 2003
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Social
Add Beauty - Can hide unattractive features like walls, freeways, & parking lots.  Create attractive business districts.
Price, 2003; Tyrväinen, Pauleit, Seeland, & de Vries, 2005
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Social
Reduce Noise Pollution
Karden et. al, 2015
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Social/Economic
Favorable Impressions - Visitors & tourists have a more positive perception of cities with urban forests.
Andrada & Deng, 2010
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Economic
Increase City Values - Urban trees add value of between $1.88 and $12.70 for every dollar spent on maintaining them, depending on the city.
(Alexander & McDonald, 2014).
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Economic
Increase Home Values - Landscaping with trees can increase property value by 20% & provides a 200% increase on investment when selling
Escobedo, Adams, & Timilsina, 2015
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Environmental
Regulate Water -
Improve water filtration, store water, and reduce stormwater runoff
Berland, 2017; Bartens, Day, Harris, Dove, & Wynne, 2008
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Enviromental
Increase Biodiversity - Birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects live in or are protected by urban forests Fish & amphibians use urban forests above them for shade and protection
Sandström, Angelstam, & MikusiÅ„ski, 2006
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Environmental
Carbon Capture -
Karden et. al, 2015
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Environmental
Reduce City Temperatures
Brandt et al., 2016; Sinnett, 2018
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Environmental/Social
Filter Air-
Karden et. al, 2015
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Environmental/Social/Economic
Reduce Energy Needs -
Nowak, Hoehn, Bodine, Greenfield, & O’Neil-Dunne, 2016; Akbari, 2002; Akbari & Taha, 1992
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Social
Provide Food -
Karden et. al, 2015
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Social
Prevents Erosion
Parker, 2018; Troy, Grove, and O’Neill-Dunne, 2012
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Economic
Deferred Street Maintenance Costs - Repaving of heavily shaded streets can defer repaving for up to 25 years; well shaded streets up to 10 years

I

Kuo, 2003; Westphal, 2003
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Economic
IIncrease Revenue - Shopping areas with trees attract customers who stay longer. Consumers are willing to pay more for goods. Goods are rated higher quality & the shopping experience is seen as more comfortable. .
Wolf, 2004
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