Benefits of Urban Forest Benefits of the Urban Forest Greening Milwaukee American Forests , a national non-profit organization, conducted an Urban Ecosystem Analysis of the city from summer of 1995 through June 1996.The study indicated that trees lost over the years due to Dutch Elm Disease have not been replaced on private property. The analysis provided a mechanism for measuring the value of a natural resource such as trees.
Trees also add to property values.
Planting more trees and expanding the size of the tree canopy throughout the city will increase those benefits, the study said. Nationwide, youth corps and volunteer organizations have established themselves as the force behind tree planting initiatives. Forestry staff launched a program called Greening Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Community Service Corps took on the role of coordinator and the Midtown Neighborhood Association was one of the first community groups to participate. The Forestry Division provides training and initially, trees from the city nursery.