Encouraging residents’ stewardship of street trees in Canberra: Perspectives in the context of the ACT Government's Street Forestry Program

Abstract

Urban forests are increasingly important as a ‘nature-based solution’ to climate change, and for the many other benefits they deliver to urban residents. Therefore, many cities globally are focusing on enhancing the extent and quality of their urban forests. Canberra, Australia’s capital city, introduced an Urban Forest Strategy in recognition of these issues. One of its goals is to engage residents in stewardship of street trees in their neighbourhoods, which requires a better understanding of residents' perceptions and attitudes to these trees. Whilst there is some knowledge of these amongst Canberra residents, there are also gaps, particularly about residents’ willingness to play a stewardship role for urban trees. Furthermore, most literature situates urban tree stewardship in the context of organised neighbourhood groups, with less focus on individual stewardship. This thesis therefore explores Canberra residents’ attitudes and behaviours to stewardship of street trees in their neighbourhoods, in the context of an ACT Government pilot initiative, the Street Forestry Program, and considers the implications for such initiatives. In April and May 2021, the Street Forestry Program conducted a survey of residents and pop-up consultations in six suburbs, and a webinar. I was able to draw on the survey results, undertake participant observations at consultations and the webinar, and conduct interviews with residents in two suburbs. Results suggest a widespread view that street trees are important, for a range of reasons: the top five were aesthetic, shading, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and erosion control. Around 70% of survey respondents reported that they engaged in stewardship behaviour, primarily watering trees and picking up branches and leaves; this proportion was greatest in the 45-65 age group. Interview responses suggest the main factors influencing stewardship behaviour are individual motivations, perceptions and attitudes; personal circumstances; and government policies and programs. These factors were incorporated into a model of stewardship behaviour for trees on public land in Canberra, adapted from that of Moskell and Allred. Interviewees appreciated the Street Forestry Program for its inclusiveness and efforts to green the suburbs, but had greater expectations for the Program and the ACT Government in the broader context of urban greening issues in Canberra. These results suggest that, to encourage stewardship by residents, the ACT Government should engage in a suite of best practices: these include an adaptive approach to community engagement, guided by models of public participation; strengthening of coordination of operations; and collaboration with neighbourhood groups. Further research should expand upon the foundations established by this study, addressing the knowledge gaps identified here, including wider themes of equity in urban development and socio-demographic factors. Like the Street Forestry Program, this study was limited in scope. A larger sample population across a wider range of Canberra suburbs would help inform future work to foster urban tree stewardship. Nevertheless, the findings of this study inform and support the ACT Government’s efforts to foster urban tree stewardship behaviour in the community, which will in turn facilitate the success of Canberra’s Urban Forest Strategy.