Trees Matter! Conducting Tree Surveys with Master Gardener Volunteers

Trees and the urban forest are an important part of communities.  In the past, discussions and presentations on the value and importance of trees had limited economic data to support the necessity for tree maintenance and planting programs in the urban landscape.  Today, there is a resource available that can be used to demonstrate the economic and environmental services provided by the trees, thus providing a concrete dollar value for our urban forests.  Stakeholders such as community leaders and others tend to grasp and understand the values of trees when a dollar value is assigned. Participants will be introduced to the state-of-the-art, peer reviewed free software called i-Tree, which allows tree survey data to be analyzed and provides the economic and environmental impacts, learn how Master Gardener Volunteers in Ohio are being trained to conduct tree surveys and gather data, as well as how MGVs are leveraging this effort in their communities.  This data is then provided to stakeholders who are using it to demonstrate the value of the urban tree canopy, set priorities for urban tree maintenance, and to increase budgets for planting and maintenance,   As a result of conducting the tree surveys, Master Gardener Volunteers participating in the program have indicated an increase in skill level in identifying trees, shown a greater awareness of the value of their own community trees as well as the geography of the community, and have a greater understanding of the value and need for diversity in the urban forest canopy.  Master Gardener Volunteer programs that market and publicize their efforts also gain an increased awareness of the program from stakeholders and community members.