National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council
Next Ten-Year Action Plan (2027-2037)
Public Input Online Portal
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in urban and community forestry. The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC/Council) values your voluntary input to the development to the next National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2027-2037). The following will describe our authority, the NUCFAC’s / Forest Service’s statutory responsibilities, purpose, and a base starting point of the past Action Plan’s Topics, including Research and “Other” new emerging issues and opportunities. Depending on the detail of the entry, we estimate two (2) to five (5) minutes per entry. One may enter as many comments related to urban and community forestry under the provided topic headers as applicable.
Authority
1990 Farm Bill - Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, as amended by Title XII, Section 1219 of Public Law No. 101-624 (Act) (16 U.S.C. 2105g), Council was established 11/28/1990
Council Responsibilities
Develop a national urban and community forestry ten-year action plan in accordance with Section 9 (g)(3) (A-F) of the Act., Evaluate the implementation of that plan annually to the Secretary. Develop criteria for and submit recommendations with respect to the Forest Service's National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-share Grant Program as required by Section 9 (f) (1-2) of the Act.
Purpose
The Council represents the public and assists in conjunction with the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, communities and partners with their capacity to address economic, environmental, health, safety, and welfare issues through natural resource solutions.
The Council provides input on the human dimension of forestry and related natural resources within rural and urban communities for public benefit and these benefits contribute to the FS / USDA responsibility to better manage all the nation’s forests.
Topics
Planning: Integrate Urban and Community Forestry Into all Scales of Planning
Integrate urban and community forestry in all planning efforts from comprehensive state and local master plans to site specific development that builds a community's capacity to utilize their trees and forestry in infrastructure and development. The result will reinforce the integration of urban forestry into policy, physical development and effectively incorporating it into community life and decision-making processes.
Submit an opinion about Planning: Integrate Urban and Community Forestry Into all Scales of Planning
Human Health: Promote the Role of Urban and Community Forestry in Human Health and Wellness
Continue to promote the connection between urban and community forests and public health and wellness. Expand collaboration with the health community, through various strategies to raise awareness and development of tools to quantify and communicate the positive impact of urban and community forestry and green infrastructure on public health. Through the strategic planning and management of urban forests to enhance human well-being, this action will highlight the crucial role of urban and community forests in creating healthier and more resilient communities as well as identify supplemental food supplies where needed.
Cultivate Leadership Within the Urban Forestry Community
Strengthen the urban and community forestry field by expanding accessibility, fostering local engagement, and developing strong leadership at all levels through increasing workforce development and green job opportunities, enhancing collaboration and training, and promoting professional growth and business opportunities within the field.
Submit an opinion about Cultivate Leadership Within the Urban Forestry Community
Strengthen Urban and Community Forest Health and Biodiversity for Long-Term Resilience
Increase the biodiversity, health, and resilience of trees in urban and community forests that will foster resilience, restoration, and sustainability of urban and community forests facing severe weather events, invasive pests, and disease.
Improve Urban and Community Forest Management, Maintenance, and Stewardship
Continue to improve urban and community forest management, maintenance, and arboricultural practices through comprehensive programs, policies, and resources to enhance forest stewardship. Identify new and better use of technology and tools in urban forestry and facilitate the delivery of scientific findings to all stakeholders.
Submit an opinion about Improve Urban and Community Forest Management, Maintenance, and Stewardship
Diversify, Leverage, and Increase Funding for Urban and Community Forestry
Community forests are essential assets that offer a high return on investment, supporting a community’s economic and health well-being and environmental resilience. To ensure a community’s sustainability, innovative solutions must go beyond traditional funding by diversifying consistent funding sources through collaboration with new partners and processes. Funding strategies should support local, state, or regional comprehensive plans to attract investment.
Submit an opinion about Diversify, Leverage, and Increase Funding for Urban and Community Forestry
Increase Public Awareness and Environmental Education to Promote Stewardship
Continue to utilize the urban and community forestry communication findings created in the last action plan and identify new opportunities to assist local, state and national organizations communicating the value of our urban and community forests. Inform decision makers, and develop creative environmental, economic, and social/health programs that provide urban natural resource solutions to community issues through increased urban and community forestry stewardship.
Submit an opinion about Increase Public Awareness and Environmental Education to Promote Stewardship
Research
Urban and Community Forestry Research has successfully provided communities some of the tools they need to address their natural resource issues. It is important to continue to listen and identify our communities needs and when the research is finalized, that the transfer of that knowledge and technology is created it is translated into a format that the public understands and can utilize the information.
Other
With the rapid onset of new technology comes new issues and opportunities to support our urban and rural communities. What is the public observing and needs to be considered in the next ten years. When entering a comment, please start with a one word title such as Pests, Technology, Infrastructure, etc.
