“There’s no widely accepted method to calculate the more ephemeral value that trees provide, such as joy in their beauty, as resting places for birds, or the coolness of their shade,” says Bonnie Keeler – her area of expertise at the University of Minnesota is natural capital and the value of ecosystems

Is benefit of having trees ‘oversold’ in Twin Cities green space planning?

“Trees in the city may not be as green as we think,” wrote Josephine Marcotty in a special report published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune in February 2019.

“In short, often ‘trees are oversold’ as a natural solution for environmental problems in cities, according to Bonnie Keeler, a University of Minnesota professor who studies ways of valuing nature.

“Keeler’s review, published last month in Nature Sustainability, found that most evaluations of urban trees focused on two benefits: filtering air and sequestering carbon. Few considered the costs of maintenance, replacement, or public health.”

About Bonnie Keeler

Bonnie Keeler, PhD, is assistant professor in the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) area. Keeler joined the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota after serving as the director and lead scientist for the Natural Capital Project, a collaborative partnership among the University of Minnesota, Stanford University, the Nature Conservancy, and World Wildlife Fund.

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To read the complete article published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, click on Is benefit of having trees ‘oversold’ in Twin Cities green space planning?