Trees and Positive Youth Development: Research on Effects of Urban Forestry Work Experiences on Inner-City, Underserved Adolescents (04-DG-11062764-058)

Other social science studies have addressed issues of environmental concern and literacy in young people involved with urban forest stewardship. This research program attempted to evaluate the psychological dynamics of youth and nature stewardship.

"Many organizations provide opportunities for youth to help steward forests and open spaces in urban settings. Program leaders have observed positive changes and response in young people as they work to care for the natural resources of their communities. Such anecdotes were the inspiration for a program of research. While other social science studies have addressed issues of environmental concern and literacy, this research program attempted to evaluate the psychological dynamics of youth and nature stewardship. Generally, psychological models of youth have been largely problem-centered; adolescence has been viewed as a period fraught with hazards. The concept of positive development has recently emerged, and focuses on individual traits and formative experiences that improve quality of life and bring forth capable people. Supporters of Positive Youth Development create programs that help adolescents become healthy, effective, and productive members of society. Such programs often include outcomes measures and benefits assessment. There is a notable absence in these efforts – knowledge about the potential beneficial affects of urban forest and city green experiences. Numerous studies have evaluated outcomes of wilderness programs, finding developmental benefits for participants. But his report presents a series of studies that have evaluated urban underserved youth who participate in urban forestry projects. The research goal was to quantitatively measure youth affects of personal and social development, increased ability in civic affairs and community dynamics, employability and career interests, and eco-literacy. The outcomes were unexpected, but raise important questions as our society prepares to provide more possibilities for \xe2\x80\x95kids in the woods." [Paper Abstract]

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