Urban Natural Resources Stewardship

More than 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, where Northern Research Station science is helping local government understand the myriad of ways that urban forests contribute to human health and wellbeing.

Trees, parks, greenways, river and lake fronts, and yard trees are all considered urban natural resources, and in addition to making cities and communities more livable, they also reduce building energy use and atmospheric carbon dioxide, improve air and water quality, mitigate rainfall runoff and flooding, lower noise impacts, and enhance human health and social well-being.

Two NRS research work units are dedicated to working with partners to develop urban forestry and urban natural resources stewardship science that is used nationwide.

Science Topics

• Land use and land cover change and loss of open space
• Natural resources and public health
• Neighborhood quality of life
• Sustainability and health of urban natural resources
• Monitoring and assessment of urban forests and trees
  • Urban Tree Canopy Assessment
• Environmental justice
• Lifestyle behaviors, consumption patterns, and land management
• Air and water quality