Thank you to the more than 100 people who attended Community Trees Matter Network’s April 17th discussion with Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk.
His inspiring presentation clearly illustrated the true value of trees from a public health and wellness perspective and why we need to value trees as an integral part of urban planning.
If we truly want to be risk averse, we need to plant and protect a wide variety of trees. Diversity of species is the key to resiliency.
Dr. Konijnendijk pointed out that the chance of being killed by a tree is less likely than being hit by lightening or being eaten by a shark and how over-reactive we have become in cutting trees due to unnecessary fears. He encouraged us to consider becoming known as an island of trees and being proud of our urban forest as so many other cities without trees have increased their social and economic resiliency by adding green space and trees.
If you would like to see Dr. Konijnendijk’s slides from his presentation, please click here.
Photos by Frances Litman
