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  • Urban Forest – Vol. 6 No. 1
Urban Forest cover with a sticker graphic that reads available in Spanish
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Urban Forest – Vol. 6 No. 1

  • Journal
  • Middle School
  • Climate
  • Pollution
  • Recreation
  • Social Science
  • Carbon Cycle
  • Economics
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Freshwater
  • Photosynthesis
  • Recreation
  • Urban parks
  • Urban trees
Urban Forest cover with a sticker graphic that reads available in Spanish
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What are urban forests? Urban forests are the trees and other plants that grow where people live, go to school, work, and play. Even if you live in a rural community, the trees in your yard, around buildings, and in parks are called urban forests. Calling them urban forests helps you to see that they are different from the kind of forests that grow in large undeveloped areas. Urban forests include trees in community parks and other public lands, along streets, in neighborhoods, around businesses and industry, and just about everywhere in a community. You will find urban forests almost anywhere that you find people living, going to school, working, and playing. Urban forests provide many benefits to people and their communities. Some examples of benefits include reducing noise and soil erosion and providing homes for animals.

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Highlights

  • 7 Articles
  • 17 Activities
  • Lesson Plan and Teacher Guide
  • Glossary
  • Scientists have known that there is a difference between the sun’s visible radiation and invisible ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation is separated into 3 types: UVA, UVB, and...

    What You See Is Not What You Get: The Difference Between Sunlight and Ultraviolet Radiation

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Reflectivity
    • Urban trees
    • UVA Radiation
    • UVB Radiation
    Scientists have known that there is a difference between the sun’s visible radiation and invisible ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation is separated into 3 types: UVA, UVB, and...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • The trees that grow along urban streets are called street trees. Some street trees are planted between the street and the sidewalk. Other street trees are planted in a strip...

    I’ve Got You Covered: The Amount of Pavement Covered by Street Trees

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Canopy Cover
    • Ecosystem Services
    • Global Warming
    • Inventory
    • Urban trees
    The trees that grow along urban streets are called street trees. Some street trees are planted between the street and the sidewalk. Other street trees are planted in a strip...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • People visit parks to do many different activities, such as play basketball, baseball, sunbathe, swim, walk, picnic, or go bicycling. If park managers know what people like to do in...

    Social Groupies: How Different Groups Use Urban Parks

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Recreation
    • Social Science
    • Demographics
    • Park Management
    • Social Science
    • Survey
    People visit parks to do many different activities, such as play basketball, baseball, sunbathe, swim, walk, picnic, or go bicycling. If park managers know what people like to do in...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • Too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is mostly caused by two things: burning fossil fuels and the loss of trees. Urban trees help to keep urban areas cooler,...

    Balancing Act: Urban Trees and the Carbon Cycle

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Carbon
    • Pollution
    • Carbon
    • Carbon Cycle
    • Carbon Dioxide
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Photosynthesis
    • Urban trees
    Too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is mostly caused by two things: burning fossil fuels and the loss of trees. Urban trees help to keep urban areas cooler,...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • In the past, scientists had estimated how much rainfall is intercepted by trees growing in rural areas. The scientists in this study wanted to know how much rainfall is intercepted by the trees that...

    Good to the Last Drip: How Trees Help to Reduce Pollution

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Pollution
    • Water
    • Deciduous Trees
    • Erosion
    • Evergreen Trees
    • Rainfall
    • Self-Regulation
    • Urban trees
    In the past, scientists had estimated how much rainfall is intercepted by trees growing in rural areas. The scientists in this study wanted to know how much rainfall is intercepted by the trees that...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • The scientists in this study wanted to know if cars parked in shady parking lots emit fewer gases than cars parked in sunny parking lots. If that is the case, it would give...

    Don’t Be So Fuel-ish! How Much Fuel Is Saved When Cars Are Parked in the Shade?

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Climate
    • Pollution
    • Climate
    • Energy
    • Evaporation
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Petroleum
    • Shade
    The scientists in this study wanted to know if cars parked in shady parking lots emit fewer gases than cars parked in sunny parking lots. If that is the case, it would give...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • The scientists in this study were interested in knowing whether the benefits provided by trees are valued by people buying a new house. They also wanted to know how much...

    Yard Sale! How Trees Affect the Selling Price of Houses

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Social Science
    • Economics
    • Ecosystem Services
    • Housing
    • Indicator
    • Tree Cover
    The scientists in this study were interested in knowing whether the benefits provided by trees are valued by people buying a new house. They also wanted to know how much...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Urban Forest - Vol. 6 No. 1

  • In this FACTivity, you will conduct an experiment to test the different amounts of UV radiation. Compare your results with the results of the scientists in this study.

    FACTivity – What You See Is Not What You Get

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Climate
    • Outdoor Activity
    • Shade
    • Tree
    • UV
    • UV Beads
    • UVA Radiation
    • UVB Radiation
    In this FACTivity, you will conduct an experiment to test the different amounts of UV radiation. Compare your results with the results of the scientists in this study.
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    What You See Is Not What You Get: The Difference Between Sunlight and Ultraviolet Radiation

  • In this FACTivity, students will use information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sun Safety UV Index, formerly known as the Sunwise program. Students will record the daily UV Index...

    Alternate FACTivity – What You See Is Not What You Get

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 2 Weeks+
    • Climate
    • Sun Safety
    • UVA Radiation
    • UVB Radiation
    In this FACTivity, students will use information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sun Safety UV Index, formerly known as the Sunwise program. Students will record the daily UV Index...
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    What You See Is Not What You Get: The Difference Between Sunlight and Ultraviolet Radiation

  • Test your knowledge of tree canopy and UV radiation with a word search.

    Word Search – What You See Is Not What You Get

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Climate
    • Radiation
    • Tree Canopy
    • Urban trees
    • Vocabulary
    Test your knowledge of tree canopy and UV radiation with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    What You See Is Not What You Get: The Difference Between Sunlight and Ultraviolet Radiation

  • The question you will answer in the FACTivity is: Were there more acres of streets or sidewalks covered by street tree canopies in this study?

    FACTivity – I’ve Got You Covered

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Chart
    • Percentage
    • Tree Canopy
    • Urban trees
    The question you will answer in the FACTivity is: Were there more acres of streets or sidewalks covered by street tree canopies in this study?
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    I've Got You Covered: The Amount of Pavement Covered by Street Trees

  • In this FACTivity, you will adopt a tree in your schoolyard and keep a tree journal to record your observations.

    Alternate FACTivity – I’ve Got You Covered

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 5 Classroom Periods
    • Arbor Day
    • Data Collection
    • Journaling
    • Observation
    • Outdoor Activity
    In this FACTivity, you will adopt a tree in your schoolyard and keep a tree journal to record your observations.
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    I've Got You Covered: The Amount of Pavement Covered by Street Trees

  • Test your science knowledge with a word search.

    Word Search – I’ve Got You Covered

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Global Warming
    • Tree Canopy
    • Vocabulary
    Test your science knowledge with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    I've Got You Covered: The Amount of Pavement Covered by Street Trees

  • In this FACTivity, you will use the findings from this research to design a picnic area.

    FACTivity – Social Groupies

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Recreation
    • Social Science
    • Accessibility
    • Park Design
    • Project Planning
    In this FACTivity, you will use the findings from this research to design a picnic area.
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Social Groupies: How Different Groups Use Urban Parks

  • Test your knowledge of social science and park design with a word search.

    Word Search – Social Groupies

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Recreation
    • Social Science
    • Parks
    • Recreation
    • Social Science
    • Urban parks
    • Vocabulary
    Test your knowledge of social science and park design with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Social Groupies: How Different Groups Use Urban Parks

  • In this FACTivity, you will research different types of native trees in your area and select one that should be planted in your schoolyard.

    FACTivity – Balancing Act

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Carbon
    • Pollution
    • Landscape Planning
    • Native plants
    • Presentation
    • Research Project
    In this FACTivity, you will research different types of native trees in your area and select one that should be planted in your schoolyard.
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Balancing Act: Urban Trees and the Carbon Cycle

  • Test your science knowledge with a word search.

    Word Search – Balancing Act

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Carbon
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Photosynthesis
    • Vocabulary
    Test your science knowledge with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Balancing Act: Urban Trees and the Carbon Cycle

  • In this FACTivity, you will work with equations based on things that you see around you. You will convert statements about data into equations.

    FACTivity – Good to the Last Drip

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Data
    • Equations
    • Math Exercise
    In this FACTivity, you will work with equations based on things that you see around you. You will convert statements about data into equations.
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Good to the Last Drip: How Trees Help to Reduce Pollution

  • Test your science knowledge with a word search.

    Word Search – Good to the Last Drip

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Rainfall
    • Urban trees
    • Vocabulary
    Test your science knowledge with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Good to the Last Drip: How Trees Help to Reduce Pollution

  • In this FACTivity, you will answer the question: What is the relationship between temperature, the amount of visible sunlight, and the amount of water evaporating from two identical glass jars?

    FACTivity – Don’t Be So Fuel-ish!

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 1 Week+
    • Water
    • Evaporation
    • Experiment
    • Indoor Activity
    • Outdoor Activity
    • Shade
    • Sunlight
    In this FACTivity, you will answer the question: What is the relationship between temperature, the amount of visible sunlight, and the amount of water evaporating from two identical glass jars?
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Don't Be So Fuel-ish! How Much Fuel Is Saved When Cars Are Parked in the Shade?

  • Test your knowledge of climate and weather with a short word search.

    Word Search – Don’t Be So Fuel-ish!

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Climate
    • Climate
    • Vocabulary
    • Weather
    Test your knowledge of climate and weather with a short word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Don't Be So Fuel-ish! How Much Fuel Is Saved When Cars Are Parked in the Shade?

  • The question you will answer with this FACTivity is: According to your own research, do your findings support the findings of this study, that increased tree cover around a home...

    FACTivity – Yard Sale!

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Social Science
    • Economics
    • Housing
    • Survey
    • Tree Cover
    The question you will answer with this FACTivity is: According to your own research, do your findings support the findings of this study, that increased tree cover around a home...
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Yard Sale! How Trees Affect the Selling Price of Houses

  • Test your knowledge of economics and tree cover with a word search.

    Word Search – Yard Sale!

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Social Science
    • Economics
    • Tree Canopy
    • Tree Cover
    • Vocabulary
    Test your knowledge of economics and tree cover with a word search.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Yard Sale! How Trees Affect the Selling Price of Houses

  • PDF Preview of Who or What Am I - Urban Forest

    Who or What Am I?

    Test your knowledge after reading the Urban Forest edition! Can you guess who or what I am?
    Download Activity (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

Glossary

View All Glossary
  • aerial

    (er ē ǝl): Of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere.

  • canopy

    (ka nə pē): A protective covering: such as, the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest.

  • climate

    (klī mǝt): The average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years.

  • data

    (dā tǝ or da tǝ): Factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.

  • deciduous

    (di si jǝ wǝs): Having parts, like leaves, that fall off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle.

  • ecologist

    (i kä lǝ jist): A scientist who studies the relationship between living things and their environment.

  • emit

    (ē mit): To throw or give off or out; to send out.

  • equation

    (i kwā zhǝn): A statement of the equality of two mathematical expressions.

  • erosion

    (i rō zhǝn): The process of deteriorating or disappearing by wearing away.

  • erosion

    (i rō zhǝn): The process of deteriorating or disappearing by wearing away.

  • ethnic

    (eth nik): Of or relating to groups of people with common traits and customs and a sense of shared identity.

  • fossil fuel

    (fä sǝl fyü(ǝ)l): A fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the Earth from plant or animal remains.

  • geographic

    (jē ǝ gra fik): Of or relating to the natural parts of an area.

  • global warming

    (glō bǝl wȯrm iŋ): A warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans that is predicted to result from an increase in the greenhouse effect caused by air pollution.

  • heritage

    (her ǝ tij): Something acquired from the past.

  • intercept

    (in tǝr sept): To take or seize on the way to or before arrival.

  • interviewer

    (in tǝr vyü ǝr): A person who conducts an interview; a person who obtains information from another by asking a series of questions.

  • inventory

    (in vǝn tȯr ē): A complete list of items (as of goods on hand or a survey of natural resources).

  • manager

    (ma ni jür): A skilled person who directs or manages something.

  • meteorological

    (mē tē ǝ rǝ lä ji kǝl): Having to do with the atmosphere, weather, or weather forecasting.

  • photosynthesis

    (fō tō sin thǝ sǝs): The process by which plants (and some bacteria and protists) that contain chlorophyll make carbohydrates from water and from carbon dioxide in the air in the presence of light.

  • public land

    (pǝ blik land): Land owned by a government.

  • public land

    (pǝ blik land): Land owned by a government.

  • radius

    (rā dē ǝs): A line extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or surface.

  • regulation

    (re gyǝ lā shǝn): The act or state of bringing order, method, or uniformity to something.

  • resource

    (rē sȯrs): A usable stock or supply (as of money, products, or energy).

  • species

    (spē sēz or spē shēz): A category of living things that ranks below a genus, is made up of related individuals able to produce fertile offspring, and is identified by a two-part scientific name.

  • survey

    (sǝr vā): A questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed.

  • ultraviolet radiation

    (ǝl trǝ vī lǝt rā dē ā shǝn): Radiation that has a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light (situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end) and longer than those of X-rays.

  • urban

    (ǝr bǝn): Of, relating to, typical of, or being a city.

  • urban

    (ǝr bǝn): Of, relating to, typical of, or being a city.

  • wildlife

    (wī(e)l(d) līf): Living things and especially mammals, birds, and fishes that are neither human nor domesticated.

Classroom Review Board

Shelley Master’s 8th Grade Class

  • Coile Middle School
  • Athens, GA

Editorial Review Board Comments

  • “Use enthusiasm. I think it needs more excitement. Use more actions and exclamations.”

  • “I think this article is very good. I hadn’t ever read about street trees and how much street they cover.”

  • “The article overall was good because they used the right words to help explain what they were talking about.”

View All Classrooms
  • Dr. Michael Bowker standing at the beach with his daughter Rosalina.

    Michael Bowker

    Social Scientist

    One of the great joys I receive from being a scientist has been seeing both of my children pursue science degrees in college. My favorite science experience was working on...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Cordell stands on a beach holding a lease with another dog in a backpack on his back.

    Ken Cordell

    Social Scientist

    “I like my work and working for the Forest Service very much. My work as a scientist involves studying how people relate to the natural world and what they like...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Gobster wears glasses and a black and white plaid shirt.

    Paul Gobster

    Landscape Architect | Social Scientist

    My favorite experience as a scientist is talking with people. As a social scientist who studies how people think about and use urban parks, I get to visit some very...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Grant surveying

    Richard Grant

    Meteorologist

    My favorite experience as a scientist is solving a puzzle of why something in nature acts like it does or discovering an explanation for something I have seen many times...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Heisler at a weather station.

    Gordon Heisler

    Meteorologist

    My favorite experience as a scientist is getting to understand something about how nature works. I also like to successfully develop or use a method to measure how nature works.
    View Profile
  • Dr. Christopher Luley

    Christopher Luley

    Forest Pathologist

    My favorite science experience is watching a tree go through each season and understanding what is happening to the tree. Each season has its own unique set of changes that...
    View Profile
  • Mr. Scott Maco

    Scott Maco

    Forester

    As a research forester, my curiosity about the natural world is encouraged. I am offered opportunities to explore questions for which answers are not known. My favorite experience with science...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Gregory McPherson smiling behind tree branches

    Gregory McPherson

    Forester

    My favorite science experience is seeing a paper finally in print or giving a presentation to a large group and sensing their interest and excitement. The process of planning and...
    View Profile
  • Dr. David Newman

    David Newman

    Economist/Resource Economist

    My favorite science experience is discovering new things that help people to protect our environment and our natural resources.
    View Profile
  • Dr. David Nowak

    David Nowak

    Forester

    I like being a scientist because it allows me to answer questions that have never been answered before.
    View Profile
  • Klaus Scott

    Air Pollution Specialist

    The most fun I’ve had as a scientist was the time I operated a “cherry picker” truck to lift a colleague and me up to the top of some pine...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Simpson in front of a background of green leaves

    Jim Simpson

    Meteorologist

    One of my favorite experiences in science was to participate in a meteorological field study in western Colorado. We camped out in the mountains. We flew on a helicopter to...
    View Profile
  • Mr. Jack Stevens resting his arm on a tree

    Jack Stevens

    Forester

    My favorite experience in science is being a part of the process of solving environmental problems that affect the health and well-being of urban residents.
    View Profile
  • Mr. Tymur Sydor at a desk

    Tymur Sydor

    Economist/Resource Economist

    My favorite science experience is walking the road from knowing little about a specific problem to knowing almost everything. I also enjoy being able to apply the knowledge that I...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Susan Ustin by a computer

    Susan Ustin

    Environmental Science

    I have always thought that it was important to preserve our natural heritage and wanted to work as an ecologist. Working with information collected from satellites has allowed me to...
    View Profile
  • Qingfu Xiao

    Hydrologist

    I enjoy working to discover the secrets of the natural environment, such as the interactions between water and the surrounding environment. My favorite experiences in science are when I find...
    View Profile

Additional Resources

  • USDA Forest Service: Urban Forests

    Learn more about urban forests, their benefits and importance, and the work being done to manage and improve urban forests.
    Visit Website
  • Forest Service Research & Development: Urban Field Station Network

    Did you know? The Urban Field Station Network is a composite of pre-existing Urban Field Stations and place-based urban research locations and investments throughout the country. Scientists and specialists at these locations work together across jurisdictions and boundaries to advance our understanding of urban and suburban ecology and communities.
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  • Urban Forestry South

    Urban Forestry South (USDA Forest Service) focuses on technology and information that supports urban forest management, tree health, tree biology, the measurement of ecosystem benefits derived from trees in urban settings, urban nature and human health, children and nature connections, and heightening awareness of and providing information about wildland-urban interface issues in the South and nationwide.
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  • USDA Forest Service: Conservation Education

    Through Conservation Education, the Forest Service provides a variety of educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and our nation’s forests and grasslands. Through these hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, students, educators, and parents can explore how to become a responsible steward of our natural resources. There are also a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.
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The Natural Inquirer program produces a variety of science education materials for PreK through grade 12. Natural Inquirer products are produced by the USDA Forest Service, FIND Outdoors, and other cooperators and partners.

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