It’s National Forest Week

September 24, 2007

September 23-29 is National Forest Week and this years focus is on Urban Forests. An annual affair, National Forest Week has been happening now for 40 years although it roots go even furhter back.

Established circa 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, the intention was to encourage greater public awareness towards Canada’s forests. At the time, there was no apparent shortage of trees for industrial expansion – the greatest threat came from forest fires, due mainly to human causes.

Since then National Forest Week, as it was renamed in 1967, has evolved to encompass the many and varied human and environmental aspects of Canada’s forest resources – past, present and future.

Over the past 80 years Canadians have demonstrated a much deeper understanding of the environmental and human benefits of forests, not to mention the positive and negative economics of Canada’s forest resources. The focus this year on Urban forests is no doubt a response to our growing awareness of that the value of our forests is far greater than simply the dollar/board foot measure that is often used to value “forest resources”.

So how do we value a tree is we don’t cut it down?

Trees in urban areas trap air pollutants and particulates – by one estimate, a large, healthy tree can absorb as many as 7,000 dust particles per litre of air. The same tree can absorb 75 per cent of the carbon dioxide generated by the average car and provide a day’s oxygen for up to four people. A valuable benefit of forest but it’s tough to put a dollar figure on this service. In most cases this is the major distinguishing factor. We have traditionally valued forests as products. Taking a more holistic look at our ecosystem we can see that far greater value exists in our forests for the varied services they provide.

Trees buffer noise and provide wildlife habitat. Their shade cool cities in summer, reduce wind and aid transpiration. During times of heavy rainfall, they keep excessive water from overwhelming storm drains and their roots prevent erosion.

Property values are higher in well-treed neighbourhoods. By protecting the streets from harmful ultraviolet rays, trees help city street asphalt last 10 to 15 years longer without repairs. And finally, trees improve the look of any city, giving urban dwellers a visual break from concrete and glass. They have even been proved to help hospital patients recover from illness more quickly, thus reducing health care costs.

So what is the take away message from all this? It would be a benefit to all if we each took some time over the course of the next week to consider the value of forests in our lives.

How to Participate in National Forest Week
- arrange a tree planting: www.treecanada.ca
- take a walk in woods nearby and get to know your forest
- care for a newly planted or neglected tree, and study its species
- identify all the things at home or school that are made of wood
- learn about organizations that demonstrate sustainable forest management
- tour a forest sector industry or processing site
- learn about the prevention of forest fires
- contact a provincial forestry association for teaching materials

For more on Forest Resources and National Forestry Week check out the Canadian Forestry Association website