Urban Forestry Initiative (UFI)
Why we do what we do
It's no secret the Earth is getting warmer. Poor stewardship and ineffective regulation have left our planet's ecosystem on the brink of collapse.
For decades, many have simply accepted that contaminated air and water were the cost of living in a "modern society." Efforts by climate activists and environmentalists have long been met with pushback. The end result is the familiar, scorching concrete jungle found in most large cities.
While things may certainly seem bleak at the moment, all is not lost. Across the world, countries are instituting policies and making pledges to help battle climate change.
However, while this is hopeful news, the reality is that many of these changes will only help to slow the rise of CO2 emissions...not eliminate them. Furthermore, in an effort to distinguish themselves from their peers, many large corporations have begun making pledges of "net-zero emissions." A myriad of companies surfaced to meet this demand. An entire industry has been built on the trading of esoteric carbon credits.
Additionally, the United States Department of Energy has already invested over $1.2 billion developing "giant vacuums that suck carbon out of the air." Even private citizens: well-meaning philanthropists like Richard Branson have pledged 8 figure rewards to someone who can accomplish this feat. We certainly won't be holding our breaths.
Thankfully, we already have a resource working around the clock to eliminate carbon from the atmosphere. Our trees. The least we can do is be good custodians of this valuable resource Missouri has been blessed with.
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Welcome to UFI! We are passionate about urban forest reclamation and dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment. Our team of environmentalists is committed to preserving and restoring green spaces in urban areas. With our innovative solutions and sustainable practices, we aim to create a greener and healthier future for all. Join us in our mission and together, let's make a difference!
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why STL (sporadic trees more efficient than 1 forest)
The Ozark Highlands are among some of the lushest forests in the country. Our oak trees consume the most carbon of any native species, second only to the Coastal Redwoods in California.
Most of Missouri's native forests were decimated by the start of the 20th Century. The old growth forests, rich with walnut, oak, pine, and hickory were harvested for their timber, and in most cases the land was left barren for development, farming, or grazing.
In 1916, the National Park Service was founded. Shortly after, land was purchased across much of Southern Missouri, to establish the 1.5-million-acre Mark Twain Forest. This forest, along with the vast state park system, are a tremendous source of carbon remediation. Unfortunately, for the most part, these forests do not lie in areas that generate large amounts of carbon emissions. In fact, a Brookings Metro study found that as much as four times the carbon is emitted per capita in suburban areas, relative to their more densely populated urban counterparts.
heat islands/suburbs
Large metropolitan areas present great challenges to carbon reduction, and St. Louis is no exception. Not only are there large industrial sources of pollution, but the classical architecture that we are known for provides interesting challenges for heat mitigation. Brick buildings with asphalt roofs, coupled with the maze of blacktop roads and parking lots, store massive amounts of heat. In 1902 Willis Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning system. Since then, the technology has proliferated and become vastly more economical. With Earth getting warmer, setting new record temperatures each year, some cities are going so far as to deem proper air conditioning a fundamental right for renters and tenants. A/C works by moving hot air from one area to another, essentially removing the heat from your home. However, with everyone running their A/C, heat collects in the area, forming a "heat island" in urban environments, further exacerbating the heat problem and requiring greater production at power plants to compensate.
how we manage the land
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experience/qualification/passion
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our vision for the future/mission statement
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