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Urban Silviculture 

 

The South Bronx communities of Mott Haven and Hunts Point have some of the highest child asthma rates in the country. Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter, is associated with respiratory illnesses such as asthma. South Bronx communities seeking to address respiratory health issues of residents would benefit from accurate and easy to understand information on the potential impact of trees on air quality.

Scientific studies have shown that vegetation can remove gaseous pollutants and particulate matter from the atmosphere, though only a small number of studies measure the capacity of trees to filter fine particles (PM2.5). However, prior studies measure what lands on leaves, not what remains in the air. In order for filtration by vegetation to have a measurable impact on human health, it must cause a measurable and substantial reduction in the concentration of particles remaining in the air.

CUCE-NYC and Cornell University Department of Horticulture (Tom Whitlow, Lead Project Researcher) developed and implemented an integrated research and education program to target three areas:

1) An evaluation of the differences among tree species in filtration of air particles and to relate these to differences in leaf size, leaf shape and surface characteristics.

2) The development of novel methods for making direct, quantitative measurements of particulates, in order to rank species by performance and to provide insight into the mechanism of deposition.

3) To engage residents and organizations in opportunities to learn about the relationship between environmental quality and health, and to enable them to apply the project findings to their communities.

 

A resident learns about the benefits of trees..

 

Accomplishments

During Spring/Summer 2009, Extension educators developed many factsheets, activities/games, posters and project descriptions, including:

§         “Ecosystem Services of Urban Trees;”

§         “Street Trees of New York City;”

§         “Neighborhood Tree Exploration;”

§         “Trees are Great” activity and display poster;

§         “What Tree Am I?” activity and display poster; and

§         “The Birds and The Trees” game. 
 

CUCE-NYC Extension staff directly reached over 1,000 youth and adults in learning activities and discussions about the research project and findings, as well as about the urban environment. As a result, these youth and adults gained knowledge and understanding of New York City’s urban forest and the benefits trees provide to the environment, individuals, and to urban neighborhoods. Events and activities included:

§         Conducted an AmeriCorps Volunteer educator training in East Harlem for 30 volunteers, using the “Neighborhood Exploration” activity to explore green assets such as trees, and their environmental and health benefits;

§         Conducted interactive learning sessions with more than 350 4th – 6th graders using the “The Birds and The Trees” activity, at the Healthy Heart Youth Day at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx;

§         Reached 65 participants through interactive displays including “Trees are Great” and “What Tree Am I?” at the Fish Parade at the Barretto Point Park, South Bronx, organized by The Point Community Development Corporation;

§         Provided a slide presentation to Bronx Community Board 2’s Environment and Health Committee, describing the project’s research, main findings, and outreach activities; and

§         Conducted a Neighborhood Tree Exploration workshop on ecosystem services of trees and exploring neighborhood’s trees and green assets with about 40 program staff and youth participants.

 

 

 Residents engage in “What Tree Am I?”

 

 

 


Diversity Information Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.