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Environment

America’s Management of Urban Forests Has Room for Improvement

A new survey finds that urban forests could benefit from better data on climate change and pests and a focus on social equity.
The cross-country running course at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Van Cortlandt is New York City’s third-largest park, with more than 600 acres of forest.
The cross-country running course at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Van Cortlandt is New York City’s third-largest park, with more than 600 acres of forest.Jonathan Elderfield/AP

Forested areas in cities may seem best left untouched, but it’s a common misconception that they can take care of themselves, according to Sarah Charlop-Powers, executive director of New York City’s Natural Areas Conservancy.

“We need to undo the conception that natural areas are inherently self-sustaining,” she said. “We need to start thinking of [them] as one more type of urban parkland, and we’d never say: ‘We built that playground; we don’t need to check and make sure the equipment is in good working order.’”