Urban Forest Management of Community-Owned Open Spaces Papers included in Watershed 96 proceedings reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent official positions of the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies show that trees and shrubs improve a community's appearance, improve energy efficiency and air quality, and increase property values.
Trees are also a factor in retaining and attracting residents, which promotes community stability.
More and more businesses are locating their offices and industrial complexes in wooded settings because they present a desirable aesthetic atmosphere for their employees and customers. But aesthetic benefits of a forested environment is only one of many provided by forests. The economic and environmental benefits that forests provide are also part of the explanation for the increasing value of forested real estate. Therefore, the need for our communities to develop a plan to manage our remaining natural resources is becoming increasingly important. The remaining fragments of undeveloped open space, parkland and street trees comprise the urban forest.