CitiesGoGreen - February 2009 - (Page 22) Preserve urban woodlots Too often, woodlots and edges are bulldozed to make way for development or because they are in the way of a construction project. Communities might consider identifying key wooded parcels in the community and actively seek their protection and management. A public woodlot, instead of being sold and developed, could be managed as a forested parcel. This may result in periodic timber sales resulting in dollars to manage the urban forest, plant more trees and enhance wildlife, water, and air quality. Wooded parcels identified, inventoried and managed properly might participate in the carbon emissions exchange market for financial sustainability of that forest. na-Champaign, has shown that inner city violence can be reduced with trees and tree plantings, that domestic violence is reduced, and that being outside with trees lessens the issues associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Trees are key A strong urban forestry program and making trees an integral part of planning for any city project are essential if trees are to contribute as much as they can to economic sustainability and to a community truly becoming green. The urban forest is a fundamental part of the infrastructure, and is key to a healthy, vibrant, economically sound community that current and future residents, retail, corporate entities, and industry will be proud to call home. v Pamela C. Louks is the Urban Forestry Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. She has a BA in Journalism from Saint Mary-of-theWoods College, is an ISA Certified Arborist and an Environmental Photographer. She can be reached at 317-591-1170 or plouks@dnr.IN.gov. Reducing stress, violence, ADHD Finally, trees contribute to the psychological and social health of a community. Research has proven that workers who can view trees along their driving route experience less stress, and workers who have a view of trees while at work report less absenteeism. Research from Drs. Kuo and Sullivan, University of Illinois at Urba- 22 February/March 2009 http://www.lhhl.uiuc.edu/all.scientific.articles.htm http://www.americanforests.org http://www.americanforests.org http://www.CitiesGoGreen.com
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