CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM

Forested urban parks throughout the Pacific Northwest currently provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as: storm water mitigation and clean water, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, noise mitigation, as well as public health benefits. However, many urban forests are in a degraded condition or are primarily managed for recreation. By actively managing and restoring urban forested parks using principles of ecological forestry, the ecosystem services they provide can be optimized.

This morning seminar and afternoon field tour will introduce forest managers to the principles of ecological forestry as well as strategies for restoring urban forests. Focus will be on how to increase ecosystem services and habitat complexity within an urban park setting. Following an indoor seminar, participants will join seasoned practitioners for a tour of urban forests in the Seattle Park system.
Key topics will include:

• The scientific basis for ecological forestry
• Restoring native forest composition to degraded forests
• Optimizing wildlife habitat in urban forests
• Controlling invasive species
• Measuring and valuing ecosystem services
• Urban forests’ contribution to public health
• Working with citizen volunteers & NGO’s
• Funding mechanisms
• Case studies
  

9:00 Introductions

9:15 Concepts & applications of ecological forestry

10:15 Break

10:30 Ecosystem Services

11:15 Break

11:30 Seattle Parks

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Field tour

4:00 End

Camp Long Community Center
5200 35th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98126

$65 (includes lunch)

Kirk Hanson: 360-316-9317, kirk@nnrg.org