Issue: Healthy Urban Forests

An urban forest includes all of the trees and other vegetation in and around a city, village, or development. Wisconsin has a total urban forest area of about 1.7 million acres or 4.7% of the total land area. It is also where 81% of the total population of people in Wisconsin live.

The urban forest provides important environmental, social and economic benefits to Wisconsin. A large tree canopy softens the blow from a downpour, allowing rain to soak gradually into the ground reducing flooding, pollution, and sedimentation in rivers and lakes, and recharging local aquifers. Trees and green space affect energy usage by converting sunlight into stored energy instead of heat, providing direct cooling through transpiration and evaporation, and by shading and insulating buildings. This reduces the need both for heating and air conditioning, which in turn can reduce pollution from burning fossil fuels. Trees also muffle noise and provide places to rest, meet, and socialize. Among the many benefits of maintaining a sustainable urban forest are the economic benefits. People linger and shop longer along tree-lined streets. In addition trees can increase property values by 5 to 20%. Apartments and offices in wooded areas rent more quickly, and have higher and longer occupancy rates.

Use the model implementation language below to develop goals, objectives, and policies that address this issue.

• Model Implementation Language
• Fact Sheet (PDF, 314K)

Consider the Issue by Element

Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources
Housing
Intergovernmental Cooperation
Issues and Opportunities
Land Use
Transportation
Utilities and Community Facilities

Trends related to Healthy Urban Forests

Urbanization is increasing.
Wisconsin is becoming more urbanized, increasing demand for additional community green space, and putting use pressure on existing urban and nearby recreational green space. Communities are becoming more aware of the need to manage their urban forest and more are doing it; however, the pressure on limited resources to maintain other infrastructure is also increasing.

Development is increasing.
Development continues to encroach upon forestland in Wisconsin. This trend is expanding the extent of urban forests while decreasing and fragmenting rural forests. People with urban attitudes and expectations are moving into rural areas and lakefront developments. This affects how the forest is used and impacts the ecology of these areas.

Absentee landowners are affecting urban canopy covers.
There is less concern for urban land stewardship from absentee landowners and renters, so trees and other vegetation are not managed and not replaced as they die. This results in declining canopy in lower socioeconomic areas dominated by rental properties.

Exotic species are threatening urban forests.
Invasive, exotic species planted by urbanites may threaten natural areas in and around communities. Urban forests may become a focal point in a conflict between the traditional horticultural industry and ecological preservationists. Specifically, gypsy moth is making its way westward in Wisconsin. Impacts of the moth on the urban forest can be very distressing for community residents, and stop-the-spread and control measures can be controversial.