Trees have a positive impact on the physical health and well-being of those living in urban communities. Through the Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities Tree Health Initiative which integrates science, partnerships, volunteer engagement, and local natural resource management strategies, The Nature Conservancy provides support in efforts to maintain and increase the many benefits trees provide to current and future generations. The Conservancy's urban forestry efforts, including the HTHC Tree Health Initiative, involve six approaches:
Collaborate
Partnership-building with Government Agencies, Local and National Organizations: Create new partnerships and enhance current partnerships with various agencies involved in urban forest conservation work in each of the Initiative’s pilot cities: Boston, Chattanooga, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
Research
Science-based Urban Forest Health Monitoring and Tree Risk Assessment: Inform current and future tree-planting efforts and assess the vulnerability of local communities to potential canopy loss caused by various factors including tree pests and diseases.
Support
Training and Outreach Material, Application and Tool Development: Provide resources and tools designed for diverse audiences to build capacity among volunteer and professional urban forestry practitioners.
Engage
Community-based Volunteer Urban Forest Management: Recruit and train current and future TNC members, local volunteers, and youth to serve as stewards of their community trees through meaningful tree-plantings, stewardship, and tree health monitoring activities.
Empower
Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development: Cultivate a new generation of urban forest conservationists by providing rewarding opportunities for personal and professional development through tree-planting, citizen science, and stewardship efforts.
Motivate
Outreach Campaign: Raise public awareness of the importance of trees and the ways volun-treers can help enhance and secure tree-related benefits for current and future generations.
