Journal of Arboriculture 31(3): May 2005 131 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AFFECTING PARTICIPATION IN URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, U.S. By Thomas J. Straka1 , Allan P. Marsinko1 Abstract. This article reports the results of a 2003 statewide survey of South Carolina, U.S., residents concerning characteristics affecting participation in urban and community forestry programs. Results are intended to increase effectiveness of program planning and organization within state forestry commissions. Participants in urban and community forestry programs have strong feelings for the importance of these programs, and the majority (91%) expected continued participation. The majority of nonparticipants (71%) were unaware of the existence of these programs, and most (59%) did not know whether they would ever participate in future programs. Future considerations for the success of urban and community forestry programs in South Carolina need to focus on increased public awareness. Prior awareness of the program and participant’s age significantly (P ≤ 0.10) affected stated intentions to participate in the program. Key Words. Urban and community forestry; community forestry; urban forestry; tree programs. At the turn of the century, over three-quarters of United States’ residents lived in urban areas (Alig et al. 1999; U.S. Department of Commerce 2000). The urban forest has an important impact on the qualities of their lives (Alig et al. 2003). Congress realized this when it amended the Coop- erative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to authorize financial, technical, and related assistance to state foresters in support of cooperative efforts in urban and community forestry (Cubbage et al. 1993). Between 1960 and 1997, the nation’s urban area increased from 10.2 to 26.7 million ha (25 to 66 million ac) (Vesterby and Krupa 2001). Over the 48 contiguous states, in 1992 less than 3% of land area was urban and less than 5% of the land area was considered developed (Heimlich and Anderson 2001). Urban land area in 1997 varied from 10% in the northeast to 1% in the mountain region (Vesterby and Krupa 2001). Urbanization is tied to population growth, and by 2050 another 16.2 million ha (40 million ac) is expected to be converted to urban and other development uses (Alig et al. 2003). South Carolina follows this national trend (London and Hill 2000). The urban forest produces significant benefits. It has a positive impact on the physical environment (increased property value and reduced energy costs and water runoff), social environment (community health and well-being, , and Christopher J. Childers2 consumer behavior, recreational opportunities, reduced noise levels, and creation of buffer zones), and the natural environment (decreased soil erosion and improvements in wildlife habitat and air and water quality) (McPherson 1994; Nowak 1994). Typical planning assistance from urban and community forestry programs includes urban and commu- nity forestry planning; recreational development; air and water quality improvement programs; stormwater manage- ment; urban wildlife management; and urban development and conservation management plans. Within the United States, typical program recipients are local governments, policy makers and elected officials, builders and developers, civic and community groups, neighborhood associations, nonprofit groups, local businesses, and urban forest councils (USDA Forest Service 2004). A major initiative in U.S. urban and community forestry began in 1991 with a national program designed to improve the awareness, management, conservation, and care of the tree resources in and around communities. A centerpiece of the program was a competitive grants program, funded by the USDA Forest Service and administered by state forestry commissions, designed to “improve understanding of the benefits of preserving existing tree cover, provide educa- tional programs and technical assistance to state and local organizations, provide assistance through competitive matching grants for urban and community forestry projects, establish demonstration projects to illustrate the benefits of forest cover and trees, and to enhance the technical skills of individuals involved in the planning, development and maintenance of urban and community forests” (South Carolina Forestry Commission 2004). The goal of these programs at the state level is to improve and manage the forest resources in and around urban environments. There are three main components of urban and community forestry at the state level: information dissemination, technical assistance, and financial assistance. As a form of information dissemination, many states encourage their communities to achieve Tree City USA recognition, a program that acknowledges community achievements in urban tree management (National Arbor Day Foundation 2004). Funding for technical assistance often allows the state forestry agency to employ urban ©2005 International Society of Arboriculture
May 2005
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