Survey and Assessment of the Status of Urban Forestry in Wisconsin

Abstract

Wisconsin communities were inventoried for the existence of urban forestry programs and community official's attitudes toward the need for urban forestry. Urban forestry has not been studied or surveyed on a comprehensive, statewide basis to date. An inventory of this nature is needed research for communities in Wisconsin to attain and maintain a coordinated urban forestry program. Data for the study were gathered from Wisconsin communities over 2500 population. The survey method was used to elicit information from the sample population. The chi-squared test for two independent samples was used for statistical analysis. Mayors, council managers or municipal foresters from 97 of the 145 sample communities provided data for analysis. Results of the survey exhibit significant factors characteristic of communities that have an active urban forestry program. These factors include population size, average income level of citizens in the community, predominance and severity of Dutch Elm Disease, presence and training of the person responsible for the community's forestry operation, and public tree population. The results indicate parameters characteristic of communities maintaining an urban forestry program may influence program planning and development.