Seeing the Urban Forest for the Trees

The tour is a one-way route, please wear comfortable walking shoes
and bring some water.

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Did you know we live in a forest? Our city is home to a designed, managed urban forest – one that has been cultivated continuously for nearly two centuries. According to the US Forest Service, “Urban forests … include urban parks, street trees, landscaped boulevards, gardens, river and coastal promenades, greenways, river corridors, wetlands, nature preserves, shelter belts of trees, and working trees at former industrial sites.” We depend on our urban forest to provide us with ecosystem services: to clean air and water, to prevent flooding through slowing stormwater flows, and to keep our city cool during the hot summer.

Unlike their woodland cousins, urban forests regularly interact with all aspects of city life, including pavement, auto emissions, salt and sand, urban heat island effect, construction impacts from development, and above and underground utilities, among others. These conditions require us to manage the urban forest differently than other forests. Urban forests need special care to survive these harsh conditions and provide ecological, social, and economic benefits. Every community member can play a part in the success of the urban forest.

Come discover how the urban forest promotes public health, reduces the urban heat island effect, improves urban design, and builds community. Learn how Salt Lake City’s Planning Division is working to expand the urban forest during a period of record building construction, and the steps we are taking to ensure existing trees on public property continue to grow and thrive.

Starting Point

We will be meeting at 6:00 PM in Poplar Grove at the gates to the Jordan Park (the entry to the parking lot at 1050 South 900 West).

Ending Point

The tour will be ending at the Chapman Branch Library approximately 3/4 of a mile.