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Diversitree
measures urban tree cover according to the 10/20/30 rule. The rule suggests that urban forests should not be composed of more than 10% of a single species, 20% of the same genus and 30% of the same family. By applying the rule as a benchmark, the diversity and adaptive capacity of urban forests can be increased, ensuring their health and the provision of ecosystem services. Diversitree is a project implemented by the MIT Senseable City Lab in cooperation with the University College Dublin.
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InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs)
is a series of models for mapping and valuing ecosystem services. The model series includes tools to assess urban cooling and urban flood risk mitigation provided by trees and forests. Several other models are under development for evaluating benefits of urban green cover, including the contribution of trees and forests to stormwater management, habitat quality, mental health, air quality and urban heat island mitigation. InVEST is developed as part of the Stanford Natural Capital Project.
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Urban Forestry Toolkit
published by the United States Forest Service. The toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to implementing urban forestry in your community.
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Guidelines on Urban and Peri-Urban Forests
published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2016. The guidelines aim to help decision-makers to better manage their urban and peri-urban forests and strengthen community awareness of the benefits of trees and forests.
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Parks Design Guidelines & Construction Manual
Parker Town Council passed an ordinance on July 17, 2023 amending sections of the Parker Municipal Code with the re-adoption of the Parks, Trails, Open Space & Streetscape Design and Construction Manual. The newly revised and expanded manual will be used by applicants and Town staff to guide the planning, design and construction of parks, trails, open space and streetscapes - including informing the design of new municipal parks and renovation of existing parks as repair and maintenance is planned in the future.
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Building a Community Park: 9 Steps You Should Follow
Parks are critical to a community’s spirit. Without public parks, there’d be little social interaction, with no play space for kids and no enjoyable outdoor resting space for adults. From splash parks to dog parks to playgrounds, these public green spaces are recreational areas that serve the needs of community members.
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SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
Developed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) in 2023, the Urban and Community Forestry Standard provides a framework with 16 objectives for organizations seeking to enhance their urban forests. The Standard was developed for use by organizations that own, manage, or are responsible for urban and/or community forests. It covers areas such as urban forest planning and management, climate resilience, stewardship of natural resources, and the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
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