Mississippi River Forum

Planting urban trees and expanding urban forest canopy cover are often considered key strategies for climate change adaptation in urban environments. However, urban trees and forests can also be vulnerable to climate change through shifts in tree habitat suitability, changes in pests and diseases, and changes in extreme weather events.

The U.S. Forest Service has developed a framework for urban forest managers and planners to assess the vulnerability of their urban forests to climate change, and to incorporate that information into their decision making. This presentation will showcase lessons learned from a pilot in the Chicago region and how it can inform future efforts in other urban areas.

Leslie Brandt is a Climate Change Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service.