Survey and Assessment of the Status of Urban Forestry in Wisconsin
File(s)
Date
1978-12Author
Bate, Timothy Ralph
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.