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INTRODUCTION
Urban forests are important. They can make us
feel better, cool our homes, clean our air, clean our water, and
save us money. Urban forests face many challenges that could prevent
them from doing those things. Some challenges are caused by disease,
insects, or weather. Others are caused by people. Some challenges
are a combination of both.
When we lose our urban forests, we lose air
quality, water quality, standard of living, and community health. It
sounds like a problem that is too big for you to do anything about,
but it's not! This activity will help you learn how you can do
something to help urban forests. The first step in making our urban
forests healthier is to learn about the issues that challenge them.
Then you need to find out who else could join your cause. Once you
know those things, you can plan how to take action to make urban
forests even better.
TASK
Task 1
Your group has been assigned to research an issue and create a
written action plan to address the issue. The intent of this task is
for you to gain a general understanding of the issue. The following
headings should be included in your written action plan with
appropriate information under them. Include pictures and other
graphics as appropriate.
-
Title/Issue name
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Justification
- What is the issue?
- Why is the issue important?
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What’s being done
- Find examples of things being done to address your issue (national,
state, or local).
- Identify the organizations, government agencies, or individuals
involved.
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Proposal to address the issue
- What your class (school, etc.) can do to address the issue.
(The actions must be realistic in terms of financial and human
resources available.)
- Why it is important that you take action and why it may be
more important to take action on this issue than other issues.
(It impacts your community directly, it can be solved with few
financial resources, etc.)
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References cited
Task 2
When the written plan is complete, your group will present
information about the issue and your action plan to the class. For
the presentation, be prepared to:
- Summarize the issue
- Summarize your plan
- “Sell” your plan to the class
- Answer questions about what you learned
and defend your plan
PROCESS
Step 1
Research the issue. Click on your assigned urban forest issue
below.
Invasive Species
Tree Canopy Loss
Emerald Ash Borer
Trees and Utilities
Soil Compaction
Heat Island
Step 2
What’s being done? Use the links to research what different
groups are doing to address your issue.
Invasive Species
Tree Canopy Loss
Emerald Ash Borer
Trees and Utilities
Soil Compaction
Heat Island
Step 3
As a group, use the information you learned from your research
to write an action plan as described in task 1. You may want to look
at the grading rubric example listed in the resources below before
you start.
Resources
Step 4
Once your action plan is complete, create a presentation to
“sell” the plan to your class. Your presentation should show
creativity and explain why you think your plan should be pursued.
You may want to look at the grading rubric example listed in the
resources below.
Resources
CONCLUSION
Now that you’ve come up with some great plans,
put them into action! You can make a difference. So, what’s your
first step? |
