The past few months have highlighted the importance of parks and nature in cities. Urban natural areas are critical as refugia, protecting biodiversity and mitigating the impacts of climate change all while contributing to the health and wellbeing of nearby residents.
However, natural areas are threatened by development as city populations grow, and are susceptible to invasive plants and fragmentation all of which can lead to a decline in forest health and the benefits they can provide.
In this webinar, Sarah Charlop-Powers and Dr. Clara Pregitzer of the Natural Areas Conservancy will introduce the challenges and opportunities of managing forests in cities, including 25 case studies from 12 cities across the U.S., and Forest Service research ecologist Dr. Rich Hallett will present a silvicultural framework for assessment and management of forests in cities, adapted from rural forest management practice. Together, the team will introduce viewers to a new collaborative network of cities and share successful strategies from across the nation.