Survey Finds Trees Are Valued by Iowa Communities
(Des Moines, IA - April 5, 2011) A new survey just released by Trees Forever and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources unearths key benefits, volunteer motivations, emerging needs, and ongoing challenges associated with community tree projects in Iowa's cities and towns.
The survey was conducted in September 2010 and includes respondents from over 115 Iowa cities and towns, including community volunteers, city staff and elected officials. Over 250 people statewide completed the survey, almost double the response received from a similar survey in 2000.
"We asked these groups to evaluate the process and effectiveness of implementing community forestry programs, identify challenges in completing them, and list the benefits they see in these projects," reports Paul Tauke, State Forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
According to Tauke, the survey represents a good cross section of communities across the state, from small towns to larger urban cities. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents are community volunteers. The rest are city employees (27%) and elected officials (8%).
In the survey, respondents identified various benefits of community forests, such as:
- Energy savings, from shading buildings or providing windbreaks.
- Improved community aesthetics.
- Increased economic impact.
- Improved air and water quality
- Reduced greenhouse gases and stormwater runoff.
- Increased property values for homeowners.
Overall, the many benefits of trees identified in the survey fall within three major themes: energy and environmental benefits; economic and livability benefits; and quality of life and wellness benefits. Respondents from larger-population communities generally perceive greater benefits from trees than those in smaller communities.
When all benefits and key issues were subjected to analysis, a single factor emerged as the most important - the environmental benefits. The environmental factor is also listed by respondents as the main motivator for volunteerism and community involvement.
Emerald Ash Borer Top Concern
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was rated the top concern among community forestry issues by survey respondents, with tree diseases and other insect pest threats coming in a close second and third.
When it comes to completing new tree planting projects, the survey found factors like recruiting and maintaining volunteers, funding and matching funds for grants, involving youth, and technical assistance as the most urgent needs.
The two main challenges in implementing new projects are lack of funds and lack of new volunteers. Lack of funds scored as a higher need in larger towns, while lack of volunteers is a higher need in smaller towns.
When asked about advocating for more state and federal funding for community forestry issues, 73% of respondents indicated they would be willing to do so. Respondents indicated they would be willing to send an email, write a letter or call their elected officials, attend town hall meetings, or write a letter to the editor.
The survey also shows differences in successful approaches between smaller rural towns and larger urban areas, and between communities and rural landowners.
"In community forestry projects it generally takes a team approach, with local volunteers and city leaders actively involved," notes Shannon Ramsay, Founding President of Marion-based Trees Forever. "This is different than forestry programs in rural areas, where you general work with individual landowners,"
"We're also seeing an increase in private businesses and corporations becoming more involved in funding these community tree projects, and in engaging their employees as volunteers," Ramsay adds. "Good examples of some longtime corporate partnerships in community tree planting include Alliant Energy with our Branching Out program, and Black Hills Energy's Power of Trees program."
Trees Forever coordinates both of these community tree programs through funding support from their corporate partners, and provide educational programs, technical assistance, organizational effectiveness training, and volunteer coordination in participating communities.
Planting trees and maintaining them is not a short-term affair with volunteers and community staff. The survey found that 27% of respondents have been involved in community forestry efforts for 10 to 20 years. And a very dedicated group of slightly over 17% of the respondents have been planting and caring for trees in their communities for over 20 years!
While volunteers for community forestry projects cover all age groups - from youth to seniors - the survey computed the average age at 54.
According to the survey, respondents get involved in projects in a variety of ways, and participate in a wide range of activities, from planting, maintaining and caring for trees, to other tasks such as: grant writing and budgeting, educational activities, taking photos, local fundraising efforts, and even writing articles for local newspapers.
The highest participation activity, as expected, is planting trees at 84%, with caring for and maintaining the trees coming in a close second at 73%.
For more information or a copy of the 2010 Iowa Community Forestry Survey, click the document cover below or contact Trees Forever at 800-369-1269 to request a paper copy.
