Category Archives: Research

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Research on Stewardship Benefits

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Credit: Seattle Parks

Credit: Seattle Parks

Emerging research investigates how active stewardship strengthens individual and community health.

A 2009 article out of the NYC Forest Service station investigated urban stewardship. Among other conclusions, the research suggests “stewardship and the active enjoyment of urban open space may produce the type of social and spatial relationships that help us to endure stressful episodes and conditions at the societal level.” Access the research article for free via the link below:

Svendsen, Erika 2009. Cultivating resilience: urban stewardship as a means to improving health and well-being. In: Campbell, Lindsay; Wiesen, Anne, eds. Restorative commons: creating health and well-being through urban landscapes. Gen. Tech Rep. NRS-P-39. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 58-87. Available online http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/5134

A 2015 student project investigated community-based restoration in the Seattle area. Carolyn Foster interviewed key stakeholders. She concludes “Four themes emerged from the interviews in addition to key motivations: competing uses of the restored space, ideal trail design, the role of community in restoration and ongoing maintenance, and relationships with Seattle Parks and Recreation and other collaborators. Understanding these differences is essential to informing long term management plans for urban greenspaces, a limited resource in the face of a growing population.” See the senior project via the link below:

Foster, C. 2015. University of Washington Senior Project. http://carolynfoster.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/4/3/25433068/senior_project_full_write_up.pdf

Human Health and the Environment

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Conservation Jobs and Worker Health
: Linking Healthy Environments, Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy People

Credit: Wolf and Housley, 2015

Credit: Wolf and Housley, 2015

“Conservation jobs and service programs serve many good purposes. They help young people learn basic employment skills, provide community services, and help restore key outdoor environments. In this study we wanted to explore potential benefits to corps members in greater depth. In particular, can outdoor jobs promote personal resilience? Stress and anxiety is a public health concern. Tragic or traumatic situations and events may disrupt people’s lives, but are not the most troubling sources of stress. Overall, the corps members entered the work program in quite good health compared to national standards. Their perceived stress was further reduced after a year’s service. One possible outcome of this study might be to introduce outdoor work as a therapeutic activity for young adults, including younger veterans. If so, careful planning of work tasks to align with physical abilities would be important.”

Wolf, K.L., & E. Housley. 2015. Conservation Jobs and Worker Health: Research Results. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, College of the Environment. Journal Article in Press.See Research Summary Flyer

Research Discovery Collection on the Natural Environment, Stress, Mental Health and Equality.

National Historical Park celebrating Jazz and community in New Orleans.

National Historical Park celebrating Jazz and community in New Orleans.

“A holistic, optimistic approach to health supports productive individuals and livable communities where people can thrive. Health is not simply an absence of disease or infirmity, but is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Wholesome living environments integrate the opportunities of built, social, natural, and (increasingly) online components to help people be at their best. One important aspect of health – mental function and wellness – is not only the outcome of personal and lifestyle situations, but is highly dependent on the natural and built environments that surround a person.”

Authors: Kathleen Wolf and Elizabeth Housley.

Access Online: http://naturesacred.org/natures-impact/literature-review/

Soil Science

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Soil is the living skin of the earth, so they say.

The structure and function of soils in the context of urban forest restoration is underrated. Recent research is emerging on the role that soil degradation plays in poor forest health.

Inappropriate soils can lead to increased invasive plants, poor growth and development of plants or root systems, increased plant mortality, decreased seed germination, decreased spread of ground cover, and erosion. In short, inappropriate soils can undermine restoration project goals.

 

Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a4iok7qerovw23j/AAAwf0fnIzg_efIqIhGUZfy4a?dl=0

Invasive Plant ID and Management

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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest and weed control used in Seattle and across the country.

Regular monitoring to determine if and when methods and treatments are needed is crucial. IPM employs physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational tactics to keep populations at tolerable levels.

Identifying invasive vegetation (especially those that appear similar to native vegetation) is a crucial skill. Check out this resource link for relevant materials.

Pollinators and Wildlife

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Natural areas and parks provide some of the most important nesting, feeding, and stopover habitat in the city.

Practical knowledge about curbing social trails, bird identification, nesting habits and timing is crucial for urban environmental stewardship. Click for information covering best management practices specific to control of invasive plants, cat predation and off-leash dogs in natural areas, public activity in sensitive areas, social trails, planting for pollinators and bird habitat, and timing of restoration tasks sensitive to nesting.

 

Private Property and Stewardship

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Private Property Owners, Stewards and Seattle Parks: Fostering Sustainability in the Buffer Zone

SewardPark.jpg

In 2013, Elizabeth Housley’s WNPS Steward Project included several goals encouraging public and private management of invasive-free vegetative buffers where private property adjoins Seattle Parks and natural areas.

During the course of the project we identified main issues occurring along Seattle Park property lines, as follows: dumping and littering, invasive vegetation, erosion and run- off, encroachment, social trails and safety, plant and animal corridors, neighbor outreach, and lack of incentives or penalties.

Using information gathered from stewards, property owners, Seattle park sites, homeowners, the Seattle Parks ecologist team, Washington Native Plant Society and other stakeholders we composed several online and offline materials. These materials were disseminated at a steward-only workshop in April 2014, shared with GreenSeattle.org, and are available in various forms in a steward outreach tool-kit.

Materials generated from this project include:

  • An Environmental Education Doorhanger available in the GSP tool-kit for stewards to use in their neighborhood outreach plans.
  • A Buffer Installation Action Plan available for homeowners. The plan includes help with identifying site-specific goals, recommended plant lists, design themes and available incentives. This is not available online as of Fall 2015.
  • A spreadsheet available through GSP Steward Trainings listing offline and online resources available to stewards.
  • A technical report is available to any interested steward or city agency. Access Here.

 

 

Grant Writing

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Do you need more funds to supplement your restoration and outreach plans? Perhaps you have an idea that needs a little more cash flow, or your volunteers demand more coffee?!

In the environmental field, funding can be a challenge. Grants to support restoration projects and community engagement can supplement restoration plants, supplies and materials provided by Seattle Parks.

Check out these resources.