(4) the maintenance of urban tree cover has significant societal and landscape-scale environmental benefits.
SAF strongly supports activities and funding that promote establishment, maintenance, and sustainability of urban forest ecosystems for all communities. SAF supports integrating the science and art of urban and community forestry into broader land-use planning systems. SAF believes that the sustainable management and use of urban and community forest resources, including the ecological maintenance of the associated green infrastructure, requires an enabling policy and regulatory framework, forward-looking research and investment programs, public education, and institutional strengthening of government and private sector investments and partnerships.