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Saving Urban Forests: Why Cities Must Act Now to Protect Vital Green Spaces
Mike Colagrossi
A new report warns that without immediate action to secure dedicated funding, cities’ urban forests could face rapid degradation, jeopardizing the critical ecosystem services and social benefits they provide.
City Nature: New York City-based Natural Areas Conservancy, defines urban forests as natural spaces that “resemble true wilderness,” providing essential cooling, supporting biodiversity, and offering recreational benefits. These areas are often one of the few opportunities for low-income residents to experience “high-quality nature” within the city.
Unfortunately, the report argues that these spaces frequently receive disproportionately less funding compared to other green spaces.
- Over a period of five years (2014–2019), natural area parkland in the 100 largest U.S. cities decreased by 4%, or nearly 38,000 acres
- Forested natural areas require protection and management to ensure continued provision of social and ecosystem benefits..
- Most organizations caring for these spaces report that there is a lack of public awareness that forested natural areas exist in their city.
The report recommends new financing strategies, such as creating revolving funds for urban forestry, selling carbon credits, and partnering with conservancies to set up forest maintenance endowment funds.