Strategically growing the urban forest will improve our world
Growth in urban populations creates opportunities for urban forests to deliver ecosystem services critical to human wellbeing and biodiversity. Our…
Metrics for Inclusive and Sustainable Cities
Yale University’s Samuel Center for Social Connectiveness has developed a comprehensive set of metrics by which cities can measure both…
The Clark-Matheny Model for Assessing Urban Forestry Programs
The model, now in wide use, applies general principles of sustainability to urban trees and forests. The central tenet of the model…
DC’s Green Design Manual for Public Spaces
This comprehensive manual summarizes regulations and specifications for design elements of public spaces. Places high emphasis on multi-benefit planning and…
Sustainability Planning Creates “Space” for Multi-Agency Involvement
To create Washington DC’s first sustainability plan, the Mayor’s Office engaged the departments of planning, energy and environment, and representatives from…
DC enters phase two of resident-driven sustainability plan
For five years, Washington DC has organized plans and policies under a comprehensive sustainability plan. As the city evolves, so…
NACTO Publishes Guide to Stormwater and Streets
The Urban Street Stormwater Guide is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city transportation, public works, and water departments to advance the…
The Value of Green Infrastructure for Urban Climate Adaptation
It’s not just about stormwater. Green Infrastructure plays a critical role in solving many challenges — from the heat island…
A Delaware Guide to Using Natural Systems in Urban, Rural, and Coastal Settings
Primer provides an introduction to green infrastructure projects and their benefits, as well as information on selecting, building, and maintaining…
Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities Initiative
The Nature Conservancy spreads its programs beyond wild land and into metro areas, where 85 percent of Americans live.
Portland Urban Forest Management Plan
The Urban Forest Action Plan was developed to implement the goals established in the management plan. The goals the action…
Austin’s Urban Forest Plan: A Master Plan for Public Property
City of Ann Arbor Urban & Community Forest Management Plan
Provides a framework for the City of Ann Arbor to effectively manage its urban and community forest as a sustainable…
i-Tree Assessment Reports
Many communities have conducted i-Tree assessments. This site lists most of them.
Municipal Sustainability Plan in Philadelphia
The Greenworks initiative, begun in 2009, set a new vision and ambitious goals in 2016.
Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests _ A National Call to Action
Twenty-five leaders from all sectors of urban forestry met in a forum to identify needs and opportunities for urban forestry…
A Guide for Watershed Planning Based on Case Studies.
Useful for educating Watershed Councils that urban trees are as important to watershed health as upstream forests.
New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual.
Provides design guidelines and steps for stormwater management using green infrastructure, such as avoiding or minimizing land disturbance by preserving…
How Sustainable are Sustainability Plans
A report and analysis on the strength of sustainability plans as indicators of environmental initiatives.
Sustainability Planning Toolkit.
Sets Five Milestones for Sustainability that any community can pursue.
How to Give Citizens the Tools to a Enact Sustainability Plan
The most effective plans engage residents and respect them as effective advocates for their own needs and expectations.
What Happens if We Go Greener?
The Green Infrastructure Scenarios Tool (GIST) has helped Milwaukee decision-makers and citizens test scenarios and see the solutions that best…
Online Toolkit Improves Local Government Strategies for Managing Green Infrastructure.
A useful companion to other toolkits which delve deeper into how to plan, promote, and implement green infrastructure.
Manual on Managing Stormwater for Urban Sustainability Using Trees and Structural Soils.
Important papers on how trees and structural soil work as a system to help manage stormwater.
Protecting the Chicago Region’s Green Infrastructure Network Through State and Local Policies.
Chicago’s regional planning organization offers guidance to its member communities on the roles they can play in conserving the region’s…