Urban forests are often overlooked as a critical way to connect people with the natural world. New research and tools are helping us to better understand the vital role that urban forests play in supporting and enhancing ecological health, economic growth, and human vitality. This presentation will provide a broad overview of the benefits of urban forests, discuss emerging research in the field, and showcase initiatives at a variety of scales (national to local) that are working to protect and grow urban and community forests.
Jessica Simons is the Vice President for Conservation Stewardship at the Kalamazoo Nature Center where she oversees land management, research, ecological services, and community science activities. Simons previously owned Verdant Stewardship, a consulting service that guided urban wood recovery and recycling programs across several states, managed urban agriculture education programs in Detroit, and coordinated the national Firewood Scout program. Simons previously served as a trustee for the Great Lakes Forest Products Society and was a co-founder of the Cerulean Center. She has a B.A. in Biology from West Virginia University and a M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan.
February 24, 2021 presentation to Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, Kalamazoo, MI
