Cities and towns across the United States have started ambitious tree planting programs that address local economic and environmental needs. As part of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, NYC intends to plant one million trees by 2030. To improve the long-term success of these urban greening projects, it is critical to actively engage the city’s residents.  To do this, we must understand residents’ values and motivations about trees, prior involvement in tree planting and care, and interest or lack of interest in stewardship. 

Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC and the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University have embarked on a social science research and education project that support practitioners and groups working in urban forestry.  Partners include the NYC Parks Department, US Forest Service, Alliance for Community Trees, Council on the Environment of NYC, and Trees NY. 

This effort involves working in collaboration with residents and community organizations in ongoing interactive educational and engagement activities. The goal of this project is to develop, implement, and evaluate an urban forestry community engagement model and toolkit that will help organizations across the country reach and empower people to be active stewards of their community’s trees and natural resources.

Volunteers plant young trees in Idlewild Park, Queens as part of a restoration project.

Accomplishments

§  Pilot implementation sites are 1) a street tree area planting in Jamaica, Queens and 2) a natural area reforestation in Canarsie Park, Brooklyn. 

§  Tree planting configurations, the extent of neighborhood-based organizations addressing local 

   needs, and the diversity of communities in NYC were taken into consideration when selecting 

   pilot sites.

§  Preliminary surveying of tree planting volunteers was conducted in Marine Park and Floyd   

   Bennett Field in October 2009.

§  A focus group was held with urban forestry experts and practitioners at the "Partners in Community Forestry" conference in Portland, OR in November 2009.   

§  400 community members in Jamaica, Queens, and 411 residents in Canarsie, Brooklyn were surveyed in March and May 2010. 

§  Two dialog sessions were held with community leaders and participants of local civic organizations in Canarsie, Brooklyn; and with people who work or reside in Jamaica, Queens.

Program Resource

What Can Trees Do for Me?: The Health Benefits of Urban Trees brochure, developed in support of this program (Spring 2010).

Media Coverage

§  "A fresh view on trees." Canarsie Courier. May 27, 2010.  

§  "CU scientists help NYC plant and care for 1 million trees." Cornell Chronicle. March 9, 2010.