Issue 7

The Southern Center For Urban Forestry Research & Information

In 1997, the SRS Southern Center for Urban Forestry Research & Information (UF Center) was formed to direct urban forestry research and provide technology transfer within the Southern Region to address pressing issues including changing land use patterns, increased urbanization, loss of forest canopy, and changing demographics. The UF Center and the SRS Southern Center for Wildland-Urban Interface Research and Information work closely together and are now both part of the same SRS research work unit.

The focus of the UF Center is to help communities and landowners address a broad spectrum of southern urban natural resource issues—from the city center to the national forests—with a focus on the human dimension. The UF Center is a cooperative effort that integrates Forest Service Research, State and Private Forestry, and the National Forest System. The UF Center also works closely with universities, State forestry agencies (urban and community forestry programs), cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, and others.

UF Center research focuses on topics such as urban expansion and demographic shifts and their effects; the role urban forests play in improving the livability, healthiness, and prosperity of urban neighborhoods; the economic value of trees and urban forests in southern cities; the effectiveness of urban forest management and design options for improving urban neighborhoods and commercial areas; and the role urban forests may play in carbon sequestration.

The UF Center’s technology transfer program focuses on:

• identifying research and information needs of customers;
• communicating research results and other information with customers through publications, conferences, workshops, and other resources;
• facilitating the exchange of information among and between researchers, practitioners, and others involved with urban forestry;
• providing technical assistance to State urban and community forestry programs; and
• assisting with the development of storm damage assessment and poststorm urban forest assessments.

The UF Center’s Web site, Urban Forestry South (www.urbanforestrysouth.org), was developed collaboratively with the southern regional extension forester and the University of Georgia, School of Forestry & Natural Resources. The Web site has a variety of urban forestry resources, such as a document library, tree ordinances, classroom activities, presentations, and much more. You will also find a section on grant announcements and other funding opportunities, job announcements, and an urban forestry manual.

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For more information:

Dudley Hartel 706–559–4236 or dhartel@fs.fed.us