Urban forests and green spaces have long been recognized as essential components of sustainable and resilient urban development. They provide a multitude of ecosystem services, health benefits, and contribute significantly to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG11, which focuses on creating safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
In the spirit of advancing these goals, we are delighted to announce that Casey Trees will be participating in the 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests, taking place in Washington, DC from October 16 to 20, 2023.
The World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF) is a conference that is jointly developed by participating organizations and cities and occurs every 5 years. This year’s organizers are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Arbor Day Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Smithsonian Foundation, the Politecnico di Milano and Italian Society of Silviculture of Forest Ecology (SISEF), and the city of Washington, DC.
The event aims at “consolidating, promoting, and implementing the outcomes of the first edition of the Forum, including the call for action and the Tree Cities of the World Program, and support cities worldwide move towards a greener and more sustainable and resilient model of urban development”.
The theme of the 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests is “Greener, Healthier, and Happier Cities for All.” This theme has been selected to emphasize the critical importance of developing inclusive and accessible cities where the benefits of urban forests and trees are universally available.
The activities and program for the week of the Forum are diverse and enriching, with several parallel breakout sessions and keynote speakers, including a keynote address from Casey Trees Board Member, Brenda Richardson. Among many other roles, Brenda is the Vice-Chair of Friends of Oxon Run Park and is the Coordinator of the Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative. Brenda will be speaking about how our urban forests can play a key role in promoting racial equity. This is during the second day of the Forum, which is dedicated to inclusive cities.
The Forum’s objectives align closely with Casey Trees’ mission to promote a greener and healthier urban environment through restoring, enhancing, and protection the tree canopy of our nation’s capital. By participating in this global event, we aim to showcase and learn from positive examples of planning, design, and management approaches that cities around the world have employed.
The 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests promises to be an unforgettable experience that brings together experts, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to discuss and shape the future of our urban environments. Learn more about the Forum, explore the rich agenda, and sign up for this exceptional gathering today!
