Urban Forests are located within 50 miles of populations greater than one million people, and demonstrate unique management challenges and opportunities. Forests are used more as a regional park with wildland opportunities. Urban development is adjacent to the forest boundaries complicating management, land use, and community relations.
Many municipalities are proximate to the forest.
Many wilderness users are unaware of Forest Service wilderness philosophy and ethics, particularly those from other cultures who hold a more utilitarian perception of the natural landscape. Wilderness areas have high day use demand which may require regulation by permit. Information strategies are complex due to language, culture and class diversity. There is a critical need for multilingual public contact skills on staff. User expectations are often based upon cultural experience gained in other countries.