In this second section of Module IV, we discuss the importance of a strategic approach and mindset in urban forest management. You will learn about key elements of strategic thinking and acting, and the way in which strategic management links governance and planning to operational maintenance. We’ll also look at four key questions that need to be answered in any urban forest management plan or process.
As you will see, strategic thinking is not only the domain of policy maker or governance, but it also impacts e.g. day-to-day urban forest management.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
Discuss what strategic urban forest management is.
Describe and compare the main components / steps of strategic management planning in urban forestry.
Design a sound structure for an urban forest management plan.
Discuss the success factors for development a good municipal urban forestry program.
Readings and Discussion Questions (For certificate learning only)
The Hansen et al. (2017) chapter offers some insights into strategic thinking in urban forestry. In Duinker et al.’s (2017) chapter on urban woodland management, you’ll read more about long-term and more strategic approaches in urban forestry, focused specifically on the management of urban woodlands. As you know, woodlands are often an important component of a city’s urban forest, and they can be ‘hotspots’ for e.g. biodiversity and recreational benefits.
Time to post another couple of questions on the Discussion form. Have you experienced examples of strategic urban forest management? If so, please briefly describe these. How can we instill strategic thinking in all staff in an urban forestry or green space management organisation, including in operational staff?
Lecture Recordings
This section of Module IV includes a brief video lecture by Cecil Konijnendijk which introduces the concept of strategic management (and strategic mindsets) and links this to urban forestry. It shows how e.g. planning, management, and maintenance are linked, and reiterates the key questions that any good urban forest manager needs to ask.
The second brief video includes the perspective of Owen Croy, an expert urban forestry manager, on how to develop a successful municipal urban forestry program. Croy, who led the urban forestry program in the city of Surrey, British Columbia for many years, presents a list of key factors that, based on his experience, are crucial ingredients of a good municipal program.
The third and final video under this section is a lecture by Zhaohua (Cindy) Cheng, a PhD student at the University of British Columbia. In her lecture Cindy gives an overview of urban forestry in China, with emphasis on aspects of governance and strategic management. This lecture gives you an example of how urban forestry is implemented by a specific country.
Post-lecture Mini Quiz (For certificate learning only)
Now it’s time for you to complete an online, multiple choice topic quiz after finishing viewing each lecture for this topic. The main purpose of the quiz is to examine how well you grasp the contents for this topic. The quiz will be open-book, covering contents of the lecture(s) for the topic. You will have 5 mins to complete the quiz. Two attempts are allowed and higher mark will be saved for your grade. There will be 13 online topic quizzes throughout the course with 4-5 questions per quiz, each worth 4-5 points that collectively count for 10% towards the final grade.
When you are ready, click the link Mini Quiz 4.2or go to left menu > Quizzes > Mini Quiz 4.2 to start taking the quiz
Topic Summary
In this section of Module IV, you have been introduced to a strategic mindset and perspective in urban forest management. Even in the case of the most operational tasks in urban forestry, such as planting or pruning a tree, having a wider, more strategic context in mind will be beneficial. We also heard more about the four key questions for any management planning process, and learnt about adaptive management.
In the next section, we look at the field of arboriculture, or the care of individual trees, as an important contributor to urban forestry.
Topic Self-review (For self learning)
To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:
Do you agree that strategic thinking is essential for successful urban forestry? Why do you agree/disagree?
Are you familiar with adaptive management approaches? If so, how have you applied them, or seen them applied?
Do you think that you have a strategic mindset in your daily life and (if relevant) in the urban forestry work you do? Please explain.
How will you promote more strategic thinking in your future urban forestry or other career?
Graded Assignment(s) for the Week (For certificate learning only)