Research Projects & Partnerships

National Stewardship Mapping for Urban Forests in Canada

Goal

To understand and document urban forest stewardship groups and their activities within a region. 

Partners

Canadian Forest Service, University of Toronto

Description

This project is a pilot study of one area, focussing on a larger municipality with active stewardship groups, with the intention of eventually compiling details across Canada, pending funding.

Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental and Tree Planting Programs

Goal

To develop metrics and measures for outreach to under-represented audiences and communities.

Partners

Western University

Description

This study offers recommendations to better engage under-served communities within Tree Canada’s tree planting grant programs.

Citation

Owens, S, Palmer, L., & Tejada, R. (2021). Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental and Tree Planting Programs. Western University, New Roots Consulting Group. Internal report. 79 pp.

The Impact of the Edible Trees Program on Social Cohesion

Goal

To determine the extent to which the Edible Trees program contributed to social inclusion and mental health and to determine whether a community of practice was viewed as a viable and useful opportunity.

Partners

Laval University

Description

This project examines the needs and ongoing support required of organizations implementing edible gardens, trees and food forests.

Tree Canada: Improving our National Greening Program to better support Indigenous Communities

Goal

To improve program delivery measures for Tree Canada’s NGP, and more effectively engage with Indigenous communities.

Description

This was an internal study conducted to examine our metrics and improve program delivery and engagement strategies.

Citation

Brant, A., Dumont, M., & Bardekjian, A. (2020). Tree Canada: Improving our National Greening Program to better support Indigenous Communities – Results of current study and proposed future directions. Internal Report. 16 pp.

Green Spaces and Places: An Impact Evaluation of Tree Canada’s Edible Trees Program

Goal

To evaluate the impact of Tree Canada’s Edible Trees Program in order to assess the perceptions of the recipients of the grants, as well as the environmental and social impacts of the program.

Partners

Carleton University

Description

This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of Tree Canada’s Edible Trees Program, including recommendations for program improvement.

Citation

Grenier, E., Hopper, J., Keogh, M., & Paskewitz, M. (2019). Green Spaces and Places: An Impact Evaluation of Tree Canada’s Edible Trees Program. Capstone project. Carleton University.

Training the future leaders in urban forestry (UFOR)

Goal

To create a novel Canada-wide inter-university and interdisciplinary graduate training program in urban forestry science.

Partners

Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec à Montréal, Laval University, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, University of British Columbia)

Description

This training program aims to increase the supply of highly-qualified professionals and leaders who can manage urban forests in novel urban ecosystems that are shaped by complex socio-cultural and economic conditions. The program is centered on creating a national network of academics and partners who have stake in urban forest training and professional development, and those who can offer training or internships to students.

Link

https://ufor.uqo.ca/

Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector National Action Plan Initiative

Goal

To achieve gender equality and meaningful inclusion of women, Indigenous peoples, and new Canadians in the forest sector.

Partners

Canadian Institute of Forestry, Centre for Social Intelligence

Description

This initiative supports the recruitment, retention and advancement of women, Indigenous and new Canadians, at all levels from technical to executive level positions, in Canada’s diverse and dynamic forest sector.

Link

https://www.freetogrowinforestry.ca

Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review

Goal

To review all peer-reviewed literature related to urban trees and human health.

Partners

University of Washington, University of British Columbia, Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada

Description

This study is the first systematic review to focus on urban trees, rather than broader greenspaces, corridors and parks, as a beneficial source for human health and wellbeing.

Citation

Wolf, K., Lam, S., McKeen, J., Richardson, G., van den Bosch, M., & Bardekjian, A. (2020). Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17, 437

Urban Forestry in Indigenous Communities across Canada: Exploring the Impact of Greening Initiatives

Goal

To better understand the needs and interests of Indigenous communities in relation to urban forestry.

Partners

Canadian Forest Service

Description

A primary goal of this research was to collect anonymous suggestions on how to improve program outreach and delivery to encourage more participation from interested Indigenous groups. The results of this study identified recommendations around urban forest-related operations and research, policy implementation and stakeholder engagement for Tree Canada.

Citation

Gosselin-Hebert, A., Bardekjian, A., Quann, S. & Crossman, V. (2018). Urban forestry in Indigenous communities across Canada: Exploring the impact of greening initiatives. Internal report Canadian Forest Service and Tree Canada.

The Compendium of Best Urban Forest Management Practices

Goal

To provide a web-based resource, which outlines for municipalities, residents and elected officials some of the components, technical standards and examples of a municipally based urban forest program.

Partners

Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada

Description

The Compendium of Best Urban Forest Management Practices outlines some of the best components and technical standards of a strategic urban forest management program. This resource is continually updated internally, and with crowd-sourced submissions from our network.

Citation

Bardekjian, A. (2018). Compendium of best urban forest management practices. Second Edition. Originally commissioned to Tree Canada by Natural Resources Canada.

Canadian Urban Forest Network: Member motivations

Goal

To better understand the composition of the Canadian Urban Forest Network members, their needs, interests and expectations.

Description

In 2017, the CUFN Steering Committee conducted a survey of the membership – this report presents a summary of those results.

Citation

Bardekjian, A. & Chiriac, G. (2018). Interests and expectations: Results of the Canadian Urban Forest Network member survey. Tree Canada: Ottawa, ON.

The Arboriculture Sector Partnership Planning Project

Goal

To identify the barriers and issues that prevent people from pursuing employment opportunities in the field of arboriculture in Ontario.

Partners

The Career Foundation, International Society of Arboriculture Ontario Chapter, Ontario Commercial Arborists Association, and industry partners.

Description

This study aims to increase recruitment.

Citation

The Career Foundation (2017). The Arboriculture Sector Partnership Planning Project. Funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD). Acted as Advising Research Consultant.

Do Rainbows Come in Green? Urban Forests and Multicultural Citizenship

Goal

To foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange between international participants.

Partners

Peter Wall Institute for Advance Studies, Faculty of Forestry, SSHRC (Connection Grant), University of British Columbia

Description

A three-day International Research Roundtable was held at the PWIAS premises, UBC Vancouver during 23-25 October 2017. The Roundtable addressed the issue of how changing and diversifying urban populations in Canada (and across the globe) view, use, benefit from, and impact urban forests.

The State of Canada’s Municipal Forests (2 studies)

Goal

To capture the details of municipal urban forest management across Canada.

Partners

Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada

Description

These studies offer insights to municipal forestry practices, inventory systems, canopy cover, bylaws, budgets and social considerations. Results showed areas in need of attention with respect to capacity, bylaws, canopy cover and research.

Citation

Bardekjian, A., Kenney, A., & Rosen, M. (2016). Trends in Canada’s Urban Forests. Tree Canada and the Canadian Urban Forest Network. Ottawa, ON. 

Bardekjian, A. & Rosen, M. (2015). Canada’s urban forest: A national assessment of municipal urban forest management needs. Commissioned to Tree Canada by the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada. 

Urban forestry research needs identified by Canadian municipalities

Goal

To determine the urban forestry research needs of Canadian municipalities of 5,000 or more inhabitants and to determine if these needs are influenced by the size of cities, the region, or the canopy. 

Partners

Laval University, Natural Resources Canada

Description

From 192 responses across 167 municipalities of 5,000 inhabitants or more, this study offers insights into cities urban forest management structures, expectations and research needs in applied and social contexts.

Citation

Larouche, J., Rioux, D., Bardekjian, A., & Gélinas, N. (2021). Urban forestry research needs identified by Canadian municipalities. The Forestry Chronicle. 2(97)