1. Presented By: Michael T. Rains USDA Forest Service May 23, 2013 The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.1 R&D: Research and Development Expanding the Stewardship of America’s Urban Natural Resources: Expanding the Stewardship of America’s Urban Natural Resources: The Role of the USDA Forest Service

2. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.2 What We Will Cover…Quickly: Rural to Urban Land Gradient The “Philadelphia Site” Investments New Directions The Philadelphia Field Station Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Public-Private Partnership Urban Waters Federal Partnership Landscape Scale Conservation

3. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.3 Science Themes 1.Forest Disturbances Processes 2.Urban Natural Resources Stewardship 3.Sustaining Forests 4.Providing Clean Air and Water 5.Natural Resources Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment National Forest SystemState and Private Forestry Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Research and Development USDA Forest Service

4. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.4 Northern Research Station NRS Geographical Footprint  20 states plus 4 (FIA).  140 scientists at 24 sites.  14 research work units.  23 Experimental Forests.  Challenges: Future predictions. Forest disturbances. Urban stewardship. Sustaining forests. Clean air and water. Forest inventory.

5. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.5 In 1920, the urban and rural population were about equal. Now, it is about 83% urban Urban and Rural Population in the United States (1790 to 2000)

6. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.6 1.The majority of Americans live in urban areas. 2.This trend will continue. 3.We must be more attentive to the urban natural resources to help improve people’s lives. A Driving Question: How can we ensure sound Urban Natural Resources Stewardship (UNRS) in order to “…effectively link environmental health with community well-being?” 3 Major Points to Think About UNRS

7. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.7 1.In the past, the Forest Service cared primarily for rural lands and served people in that setting. 2.Now, we are emphasizing “caring for land and serving people, where they live” -- including the urban setting. John, don’t you just love the West? A Rural to Urban Land Gradient …FAST FACTS…  851 MM Acres for Forestland in U.S.  134 MM Acres = National Forests.  103 MM Acres = Urban Forests.  Forest Service has a direct and indirect role on about 80 % of all forestlands.

8. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.8 The Formal Beginning of “Urban and Community Forestry” in the Forest Service Was To: “…to ensure the benefits of preserving existing tree cover in urban areas and communities” The Beginning; 1978 “… An appropriate focus then; now too narrowly defined.”

9. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.9 We Are Moving From an “Urban and Community Forestry” Program To “Urban Natural Resources Stewardship.” “…A much more comprehensive approach.” UNRS Now

10. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.10 “Urban Natural Resources Stewardship” Includes Several Themes:  Sustaining and expanding the urban natural resources.  Environmental literacy.  Job and career opportunities.  Economic development and diversification.  Generating and managing information.  Partnership and intergovernmental coordination.  Citizen engagement and volunteerism. UNRS

11. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.11 Science Themes 1.Forest Disturbances Processes 2.Urban Natural Resources Stewardship 3.Sustaining Forests 4.Providing Clean Air and Water 5.Natural Resources Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment Urban Field Stations  New York City, NY  Baltimore, MD  Evanston, IL  Philadelphia, PA National Forest SystemState and Private Forestry Department of Agriculture Research Work Units Philadelphia Field Station USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station NRS-08 Research and Development Urban Field Stations We are expanding our public service role!

12. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.12 Mission: “…to foster collaboration and facilitate science, science-delivery, and communication to improve Urban Natural Resources Stewardship.” Northern Research Station Sarah Low: PFS Coordinator Sarah Low: PFS Coordinator Dr. Dave Nowak RWU Leader Syracuse, NY Dr. Dave Nowak RWU Leader Syracuse, NY PFS officially launched by Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell on March 10, 2011 PFS officially launched by Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell on March 10, 2011 Philadelphia Field Station Urban Natural Resources Stewardship RWU NRS-08: Urban Forests, Human Health, and Environmental Quality Philadelphia Field Station (PFS)

13. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.13 Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) Location: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 N. 20th Street - 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Telephone: 215-988-8800 UNRS Focus:  Research  Science-delivery  Communications  Tools (new technology) Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. PFS PFS Current Staff:  Sarah Low, Coordinator and Biological Scientist  Michael Leff, Research Urban Forester  Becky Schwartz, Science Delivery and Outreach Intern  Jason Henning, Research Urban Forester  Michelle Kondo, Postdoctoral Fellow  Lara Roman, Research Scientist Michael ♦ Sarah ♦ Michelle ♦ Becky ♦ Jason Lara

14. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.14 Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. Think “Landscape Scale”: The scope of the PFS is broad. PFS  Resource analysis (including development of methods for responding to natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy).  Integrated modeling (with an emphasis on linking ecological changes with economic impacts).  Futuring methods (allowing stakeholders to explore alternative futures, identify desired futures and develop strategies to get there). Some New Directions

15. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.15 The New “Philadelphia Site” (Delaware River Watershed) The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) Philadelphia Field Station (PFS) Including: Chester, PA; Wilmington, DE; and, Camden, NJ USDA; NOAA; and DOI Co-Leaders “…From the water’s source to the faucet, the Partnership is ‘banding together, sharing resources and avoiding duplication’ to improve America’s waters and the associated communities.” A coordinating role 7 Original Pilot Projects 11 New Sites

16. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.16 Urban Natural Resources Stewardship: We must embrace the notion now and form a stronger, more cohesive program direction for our land and the people we serve, where they live.” Epilogue

17. FS R&D: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level UES.17 Questions? “…Think big, act big”