We work in urban forestry to help cities utiltize natural systems to create a healthier, vibrant place for their community to live.  Freeing citizens up from city-living stresses means they are free to go do the work in the world they were meant to do!  

Trees alleviate so many urban challenges by the services they provide.  Thanks to these benefits, more and more, trees are considered critical city infrastructure, and because they increase in value over time, they provide a return on investment.

Here are 12 Reasons Trees are Essential for Healthy Communities

• Removing pollution from the air
• Reducing pollution in the water
• Improving public health
• Contributing to more successful business districts
• Alleviating heat stress
• Building a stronger community
• Creating safer, more walkable streets
• Reducing noise pollution 
• Reducing crime 
• Saving energy 
• Increasing property values
• Inspiring higher test scores

Are you surprised by #12? It’s true. Research has shown that the more tree cover surrounding a school, the better the test scores. A study of 450 middle schools and nearly 50,000 students in urban, suburban, and rural communities in Washington State was conducted by M. Kuo, associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. Kuo concluded that trees increase exposure to nature, helping to increase concentration and engagement, while also leading to less disruptive behavior. 

Since the urban forest is on both public and private land, cities should actively educate and engage citizens, businesses, and institutions in the value of the collective urban forest. “When everyone works together for positive outcomes, everyone wins,” says Urban Canopy Works co-owner Jenny Gulick. “I chose a career in Urban Forestry because I wanted to bring my passion for trees and forests to city and suburban dwellers. I’m most proud of the tens of thousands of trees I’ve planted. I can now go back to some of the first ones and see them arching over streets and front yards, totally transforming the neighborhoods.”

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to join Urban Canopy Works in expressing gratitude for urban trees. Take a deep breath, take a walk on a tree-lined sidewalk or park, and take the opportunity to share the joy with family and friends. 

Learn more about the benefits of trees and why they’re essential for building healthy communities. 

Urban Canopy Works (UCW) has received three prestigious awards.  

First, UCW's Columbus Urban Forest Master Plan, developed in 2020-21 has been given two awards:

• UCW Receives 2021 APA OH for Award for Best Practice.  Rachel's work leading the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan project as led to UCW being awarded the Best Practice Award from the American Planning Association (APA) Ohio.  This award was given to a project with high scores in innovation, transferability, overall quality, implementation, relevance, and community interaction.   APA said in a recent press release, “The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan serves as a blueprint to improve Columbus residents' quality of life through investment in urban trees.” 
  
  Rachel noted this urban forestry master plan is the first of its kind in Columbus, and has created real momentum for change. “It’s the first-time city council, city staff, community members, and people from around the region came together to learn about urban forestry and work collaboratively. They helped determine what Columbus already has, and what it needs, and broadened the understanding of why trees in cities are so critical to healthy communities. City officials say, “Our tree canopy is vulnerable to threats from disease, pests, the changing climate and increased development.” As a result of the plan, the city council is allocating the funds needed to implement, which includes hiring a senior level urban forester to manage the many implementation steps involved. Urban Canopy Works is thrilled with all the good things that are happening as a result of the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan!
  
  
• UCW Receives 2021 ASLA Award of Honor in Planning + Analysis.  The Columbus  Urban Forest Master Plan project was also awarded an Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Ohio. The award recognizes Designing Local, Urban Canopy Works, and Davey Resource Group in the category of Planning + Analysis. 

Principal Jenny Gulick received the President’s Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).  The President of PGMS presents an award to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to PGMS or the grounds management profession. In this case, Jenny was awarded for doing both. She has been the PGMS Greater Cincinnati Branch President for over 15 years, participated on numerous PGMS committees, and most recently served two terms on the Board as a Director-At-Large. PGMS describes Jenney as “an engaged leader who is passionate about arboriculture as well as the green industry as a whole.” Over the course of Jenny’s career, she has provided leadership and technical guidance to a wide variety of national, regional, and local organizations, such as ISA, APWA, and the Kentucky Division of Forestry, to help promote urban forestry and elevate the people and programs that manage and protect our forest resources. Jenny says, “I’m pleased to receive this honor and am grateful for the opportunity to offer my experience and leadership to such a great organization.”

​Congratulations to Rachel and Jenny on receiving these awards!