Thursday, August 7, 2008: 8:00 AM-1:00 PM

West Well St. Entrance , Midwest Airlines Center

FT 13 - Urban Forestry, Ecosystem Services, and Environmental Justice

Theories and concepts about urban ecosystems have real world applications. Urban forestry and urban greening programs are recognized for their role as tools for providing ecosystem services in cities. Milwaukee’s forestry division started in 1917 and has one of the best-funded and strongest urban forestry programs in the U.S. Greening Milwaukee and other non-profit groups seek to expand the work done by the forestry division and provide information on the benefits of urban vegetation to residents in the city. However, not all of Milwaukee’s residents share the benefits of urban vegetation. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee found that income and race are predictors of differences in amounts of vegetation and provision of ecosystem services. This field trip is a two mile, 25 block, walking tour of vegetation and buildings along Locust Street. The four-hour walk and discussion starts at the intersection of Martin Luther King Dr. and Locust Street, and continues east to Lake Michigan. The transition from a high density residential and commercial street to one dominated by large homes near the lake provides an overview of socioeconomic and environmental conditions in the city that shape urban forestry programs and resulting environmental justice issues. Staff from Milwaukee’s Forestry Division will provide insights into how they are attempting to re-green Milwaukee, evaluate ecosystem services associated with urban vegetation, and address lack of involvement of low income residents and residents of color. Participants will have the option of walking back to the Convention Center along the lake at the end of the trip (about 3.5 miles), or returning by bus.

See more of Events and Field Trips

See more of The 93rd ESA Annual Meeting (August 3 -- August 8, 2008)