Frequently Asked Questions
The Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action Task Force is carving a new path in urban ecosystems and green infrastructure initiatives through the efforts of its 25 members who have been charged with taking a fresh and inventive look at the ever-changing issues of urban environments. Building on previous collaborative efforts, the Task Force unites innovators of a diverse range of fields, from sustainability and urban planning to city government and public policy to human health and business. In aligning and contrasting previous experiences and efforts in their respective fields, Task Force members have begun a fresh discourse surrounding the ways in which urban ecosystems and green infrastructure can be improved and sustained. This discussion shifts away from the dogmatic and looks at these issues through a lens of forward-thinking optimism.
As urban ecosystems and green infrastructure move to the forefront of environmental issues today, the Task Force plays a critical role in integrating current knowledge about science, stewardship and policy with their long-term goals and ideals about what urban ecosystems and green infrastructure should look like to create meaningful and constructive recommendations for enhanced federal involvement. This initiative is the first step towards igniting a fervent and purposeful urban ecosystems movement.
The Task Force was originally conceived by U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, USFS Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry Jim Hubbard, USFS Northern Research Station Director Michael Rains, and New York Restoration Project.
The approach of the Task Force is manifest in a well-rounded and multifaceted process that involves recommending an unprecedented shift in the way policy and funding shape urban forestry and stewardship on federal, state and local levels. In order to create their recommendations, the Task Force has:
(1) Pinpointed urban ecosystems and green infrastructure policies and programs that deserve additional support or reconsideration;
(2) Suggested ways in which the structure of federal programming in urban forestry can be improved;
(3) Proposed insightful urban forestry projects and ideas that deserve the support of the U.S. Forest Service; and
(4) Identified innovative funding and partnerships that would enable the federal government to better participate in the changing landscape of our nation’s urban green spaces and forests.
Significantly, the Task Force is crafting and implementing a long-term plan for realizing its recommendations, including a timeline and strategy for education and outreach to policy-makers, influencers, the media and public.
NYRP was chosen by the U.S. Forest Service to lead the Vibrant Cities initiative because of the organization’s capabilities and proven successes as a community-building and urban natural resources management organization.
As a driving force in the advancement of open spaces and urban forestry in New York City, NYRP has lead the way in park restoration, community gardening, and environmental education as well as through MillionTreesNYC, a partnership between the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and NYRP.
Through an extensive nomination process, the Vibrant Cities Planning Committee selected the Task Force members. This committee includes passionate and motivated representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Alliance for Community Trees (ACT), the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC), the Society of Municipal Arborists, the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition and New York Restoration Project.
Your participation in the Vibrant Cities initiative is crucial to the success of the intiative and the improvement and sustainability of our nation’s urban ecosystems and green infrastructure!
The Task Force is relying on you to spread the word about the Vibrant Cities Report. Through advocating for the recommendations – share them with your Congressional representatives, city and municipal government officials, local nonprofit organizations – you are directly contributing to making our nation’s cities more vibrant.
The Vibrant Cities Report will be published in October 2011. In the meantime, you can stay up-to-date on the progress of the Task Force through our website: www.vibrantcities.org