What is the role of the “Urban Forest” in the recovery of communities following human- caused or natural disasters in cities? Community Forestry in NOLA Disaster Recovery Keith G. Tidball, Cornell University

Key Concepts... BIOPHILIA Humans are part of “nature” People crave contact with the rest of nature People rely heavily on nature for coping with times of stress and anxiety Urban people are particularly prone to nature deficit, but need nature as much or more than suburban or rural dwellers in times of stress or anxiety RESILIENCE How vulnerable a system is to unexpected disturbances and surprises that can exceed or break a system’s ability to control its destiny. Capacity to buffer change, learn and adapt. Resilience is of special interest in Socio- Ecological Systems

Mobilizing the Community to Integrate Ecology, Open Space Resources, and Disaster Resistance in a Post- Katrina 9th Ward Problem Statement The 9 th Ward lacked open space before Hurricane Katrina Proposed parks are unlikely to be funded Local residents fear undesirable park uses Land now set aside for parks may ultimately be developed, harming long-term residents and neighborhood institutions Three Assumptions Displaced resident right to return Environmental justice for hardest-hit communities Public participation in all decision-making Community-led greening can help residents return and build neighborhood resilience. Dept. of City and Regional Planning New Orleans Planning Initiative Workshop CRP 679 Keith G. Tidball + Carol Tran Slawson + Beth Seward + Danny Pearlstein

They talked trees... “...surviving trees gave me hope that I would persist.”

They talked trees... “I used the oaks to find my home...”

They talked trees... “...The trees were so much a part of New Orleans... I don’t know what we are going to do now.”

Research Questions... Role of urban trees and community forestry or greening initiatives in recovery? Characterization of post- disaster NOLA community forestry initiatives? Policy makers, planners, and neighborhood development and greening organizations perspective on community forestry initiatives?

Partners and Participation ACORN- NOPI collaboration and Parkway Partners convene groups of community members frequently as plans for the 9TH Ward are developed.

Thank you Community members of the 9 th Ward New Orleans A.C.O.R.N. Community Forestry Research Fellows Program Cornell New Orleans Planning Initiative Dr. Marianne Krasny Check out my poster for methods, lit review, etc!