Rooted in empowerment: Community-based urban forestry experiences in Syracuse, New Yor

This study explores the values and benefits of community-based urban forestry in Syracuse, New York. Environmental stewards (N=12) were interviewed about their experiences working in urban forestry organizations in the city. Using a grounded theory methodology, elements of empowerment were identified in the data and followed up with a directed analysis using Zimmerman (2000)'s principles of empowerment. The results of this analysis found that participation in urban forestry provides both empowering processes and empowered outcomes for individuals. Then, tensions between the conservation and development goals of community-based urban forestry were explored and a series of complex trade-offs were identified. The results of this research may be useful to stewardship organizations that want to enhance the social benefits experienced by their participants. Recommendations for future research on this topic involve evaluating urban forestry's empowerment potential on organizational and community levels.