Why The Urban Forest Matters

 

Trees are vital to a healthy urban ecosystem. Adding trees to the urban forest helps us all by:

 

  - Creating carbon sinks by capturing a greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) as trees grow.

  - Increasing habitat space above and below ground

  - Reducing stormwater runoff, saving us millions of dollars in infrastructure costs.

  - Cleaning the air by filtering pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

  - Providing oxygen, with a single mature tree producing enough each year for two people to breathe.

  - Improving the quality of urban life, with studies showing treed areas have lower crime rates than barren places.

  - Providing shade in summer and wind blocks in winter, conserving energy through reduced heating and cooling costs.

  - Increasing opportunities for food production as people develop resilient and food secure neighbourhoods.

 

And it turns out money really does grow on trees. A study of the Pacific Northwest by the US Forest Service shows that for every $1 spent on trees, $2.70 worth of benefits are received.