Restoration and Management of High-Use Urban Missouri Woodlands and Forests in St. Louis

St. Louis City’s urban woodland and forested natural areas were modified, degraded, and/or overly-mature habitats that required management intervention for ecological health, species diversity, and public safety. To accomplish long-term success in the woodlands and forests of Forest Park, a flagship St. Louis natural area, restorations and management strategies seeking to “treat the problem not the symptom” were implemented. The most important best management practices for Forest Park’s woodlands and forests included forest stand improvement, prescribed burns, invasive and non-native species management, creation of public stewards, and plant material supplementation.

In a nutshell, this resource offers:

• A succinct case study of intensive forest restoration in a high-traffic urban area.
• A list of goals for forest restoration and desired ecological trajectory.
• Description of the process by which multiple agencies and nonprofits collaborated to establish prescribed burn policies and re-introduce the historical fire regime.
• Tips on how to conduct stand improvement activities with public knowledge and acceptance.

How to use this resource:

• To demonstrate the precedence of prescribed burning and thinning in an urban area to stakeholders.
• As an example of traditional forest management techniques (silviculture) for forest restoration, public safety and forest health.

Authors: Amy L. Witt, Shawnell C. Faber, Alan R. Jankowski

Date published: 2020

Point of contact: Amy L. Witt, Forest Park Forever, awitt@foresparkforever.org 

Citation: Witt, A. L.; Faber, S. C.; and Jankowski, A. R. 2020. Restoration and Management of High-Use Urban Missouri Woodlands and Forests in St. Louis. Cities and the Environment (CATE): Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 17.  

Resource available online here.