Community Leaders and the Urban Forest: A Model of Knowledge and Understanding

Abstract

Abstract Foresters have a sound understanding of the urban forest, but this level of understanding rarely extends to the people who are able to effect change in communities—leaders. This article describes knowledge and understanding of the urban forest based on personal interviews conducted with leaders in two cities using qualitative research methods. Interpretation of the data suggests a knowledge and understanding model with three main constructs: urban forest meaning, processes, and benefits and outcomes. Respondents described the urban forest through categories (e.g., green spaces, quality of life) in terms of these constructs in a gradient ranging from entry to bridging to mature. The emergence of the constructs and categories provides a better understanding of how leaders perceive the urban forest and gives direction to future research that will continue the development of the model. Keywords: community leadersknowledgemodeling understandingperceptionpolicymakingunderstandingurban forest