Urban Forest Human Health and Well-Being Benefits: Translating Evidence to Economic Valuation Models (09-CA-11062765-034)

Anecdotes and stories recount how urban trees and forests contribute to human health and well-being (HHWB). A broad base of scientific evidence also describes such benefits. Yet the studies are distributed widely across disciplines and publications, making them difficult to access. A USFS supported team at the UW is preparing a compendium of the studies, with summaries to be available on the web in 2010. The research compilation could serve as the foundation for development of "i-Tree Community" to provide a practical analysis tool. This cost-share project would move the literature review one more step in development of the i-Tree model. Our project approach includes a multidisciplinary collaborative team to translate the evidence of HHWB benefits to economic valuation. The team will prepare a comprehensive framework of valuation approaches and outcomes, demonstrating why communities should invest in urban forestry to enhance social benefits. An expert panel will be recruited to review and revise the core work of the project team. This project will generate the economic basis of an i-Tree Community tool, expanding the current environmental benefit focus of i-Tree to include an expanded range of urban forest benefits, and build better support for urban forestry across U.S. cities.

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Final Report