FORESTRY 428
                                                                     Community Forestry

                                                                       Course Syllabus


Meets Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:00-11:50 in Ag. 166.

Instructor:
Dr. John W. Groninger
Office 194F Ag. (Open door policy)
Phone 453-7462
E-mail: groninge@siu.edu

Catalog Description:
Introduction to principles and practices useful in the management of trees and forests in populated settings.  Emphasis is placed on the development of comprehensive management strategies consistent with the biological, economic and social constraints of the urban environment.

Prerequisite:
Coursework in forest ecology, junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Purpose:
Urban forest ecosystems play an increasingly recognized and unique role in the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of life in our society.  The increasing size and proportion of the human population living in towns and cities has resulted in greater emphasis on the maintenance and improvement of trees and forests within these settings.  Accordingly, a large proportion of students in the Forestry and Plant, Soil Science and General Agriculture majors are seeking employment in the Urban and Community Forestry sector.  These students gain many underlying skills useful to community foresters but lack much information specific to the community forest context.  This course is intended to introduce students to biological, physical, administrative, managerial, legal and social concepts unique to the management of community forests.

Objectives:
1.  Understand the social and physical benefits provided by urban forests.
2.  Become familiar with approaches for evaluating the economic and physical value of urban trees and forests.
3.  Gain proficiency in the inventory and evaluation of urban trees.
4.  Demonstrate familiarity with techniques used to maintain and remove urban trees.
5.  Demonstrate an understanding of the physical environment of urban forests and the application of management techniques appropriate for this environment.
6.  Develop familiarity with the elements of a management plan appropriate for the sustained management of an urban forest resource.
7.  Develop an understanding of the administrative process and organizational structure associated with the management of the urban forest.
8.  Gain an appreciation for the importance of communication and community involvement in the successful implementation of an urban forestry program.

Text:
Miller, R. W. 1997. Urban Forestry Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces, 2nd Ed. Prentice Hall, New York, 502 pp.
Course Outline:

Topic         Text Chapter

A. Introduction        1,2,3,4

1. History and changes in the urban environment
2. The scope and extent of the community forest
3. Societal benefits of the community forest

B. Inventory         5,6,7

1. Post-planting evaluation
2. Hazard tree evaluation
3. Street tree inventory
4. Valuation of urban trees
5. Developing an integrated information system

C. The planning of community forests    8

1. Placement of community forests
2. Planning for open areas
3. Planning in forested areas

E.  Vegetation ordinances      9

1. Types of ordinances
2. Authority and enforcement

D. Administration and management of community forests 11,12

1. Species selection
2. Diversity
3. Sources of trees
4. Planting
5. Maintenance and protection
6. Removal and replacement
7. Allocation of resources

F.  Wildlife management in the urban forest

1. Types of habitat
2. Managing habitat

G. Utility right of way management     15
1. Types of right of way corridors
2. Principles of right of way management
3. Opportunities for communities

H. The social environment      13

1. Volunteers
2. Civic organizations
3. Education and public relations
4. Vandalism

I. Sources of Funding      13

1. Public agencies
2. Private organizations
3. Grant writing

Grading:

Quizzes   10%
Midterm   25%
Term project   20%
Presentation   10%
Final Exam   35%



Term Project:

The term project requirement must be fulfilled through completion of one of the following:

a. Detailed description of urban/community forestry management in a town or city of your choice.  Information should be gained through work experience or an internship as well as through interviews with professionals working in the field of urban forestry.
b. Conducting and interpreting a public survey related to an urban/community forestry-related issue.
c. A project of your choice selected with the approval of the instructor.

Each project must be accompanied by a 10-15 minute presentation

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