Open AccessA Survey of Urban Tree Management in New Zealand
Author(s) -
Matthew Stobbart,
Mark Johnston
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2012.033
Subject(s) - amenity , statutory law , business , local authority , local government , environmental resource management , forest management , duty , resource (disambiguation) , environmental planning , geography , forestry , public administration , political science , finance , computer network , environmental science , computer science , law
Local authorities in New Zealand are responsible for managing many of the publicly owned trees in their district and have a statutory duty to act as an environmental guardian for trees that have a significant amenity or cultural value. No previous research had been completed to investigate, on a national scale, the efficiency and effectiveness of local authority tree management. A survey questionnaire was designed to assess the extent that tree management is planned, systematic, and integrated and to identify the key challenges and limitations local authorities face in managing the urban forest. A survey questionnaire was sent to each of New Zealand’s 73 local authorities. Thirty questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 41%. Many local authority tree management programs were found to be operating under difficult conditions and often within severe financial constraints. A lack of basic information about the urban forest was making it difficult for many local authorities to develop meaningful strategies and budgets and was reflected in low levels of planned maintenance. Resource constraints, conflicting priorities, and a lack of public and political support were all highlighted as being significant threats to many tree programs.