Urban Forestry

Urban Forestry is the planned, integrated and systematic approach to the management of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation in urban areas for their contribution to the environmental, psychological, sociological, and economic well being of urban society. - Kuchelmeister, G. and S. Braatz: Urban forestry revisted. Unasylva 173, Vol 44:13-18.

While it is not possible to separate our Urban Forest from its surrounding ecosystem, our Urban Foresters are primarily concerned with the health and sustainability of the local vegetation and to a lesser extent the fauna, be it microbial, invertebrate or vertebrate, that these plants rely upon for survival.

• There are an estimated 50,000 cultured trees in Grande Prairie.
• In natural ecosystems symbiotic fungus and/or bacteria colonize the woody plant roots forming a mutually beneficial relationship.
• Trembling Aspen stands continually regenerate by sending up new shoots from their inter-connected root systems.
• Many of the common shrubs we plant are actually understory plants when seen in their native habitats.