Below are some strategies that your community can use to save its trees. Education Offering free educational programs to inform property owners how to care for and maintain their trees is a good way to encourage tree preservation. Other education options include producing pamphlets that illustrate the benefits of tree preservation, and hosting free community lectures by environmental and tree preservation experts. Voluntary Involve people in building civic pride by encouraging tree preservation. Incentive-based One of the best ways to promote tree preservation is to provide incentives.
Incentives encourage landowners to protect their trees and improve the community.
Some common incentives include establishing a community grant fund for replacing or planting new trees, offering developers zoning incentives such as reduced setbacks or increased density in exchange for tree preservation, and giving property tax breaks to landowners who agree to preserve their woodlands. For example, Hudson, OH allows developers to provide compensation in lieu of replacing destroyed trees and uses the collected monies to maintain other trees and fund conservation projects. While purchasing tracts of woodland or easements is one of the most expensive options, outright purchase is sometimes the only way to permanently protect trees from development pressure. Local governments, nonprofit organizations, land trusts, and even private citizens can purchase land and place permanent restrictions on the deed before reselling or donating the land. Emphasize tree protection in planning, zoning, subdivision, and other land use ordinances.