Return to the Forest Where We Live premieres September 23rd on LPB

This high-definition Louisiana Public Broadcasting documentary premieres
Tuesday, September 23 at
8:00 PM on LPB and LPB-HD

Most people will express a sincere appreciation for the trees in their cities; in principle, after all, everyone prefers tree-lined streets, generous green spaces, and abundant park lands. When it comes to the bottom line, however, few of us could arrive at any kind of meaningful estimate of the real value of our urban forests. So among city planners and citizens alike, the absence of hard figures inevitably results in an absence of trees. As pavement replaces shade, cities grow and business expands. Yet, paradoxically, community resources shrink and quality life withers.

That may be changing, though. This program looks at how advances in technology—and changes in priorities—are prompting communities throughout America to reconsider how vital trees really are to the socio-economic well being of our cities. And many are surprised to find that a small investment in trees can reap big dividends.

Beginning with the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, Return to the Forest Where We Live examines how some American cities have begun to calculate the real economic costs that follow the loss of our urban forests. As cities expand and pressure on public services increases, many are discovering that “green infrastructure” provides a highly efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional urban development. Drawing upon examples from Los Angeles, Washington DC, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Charlotte, this program challenges viewers to re-evaluate the critical importance of investing in healthy urban ecosystems.

Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding is the narrator for this new public television documentary.

Producer/Director: Liz Barnes
Writer: C. E. Richard
Senior Producer/Project Director: Tika Laudun

www.lpb.org/programs/forest

This project was supported by the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and by the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

SAVE THE EARTH---IT'S THE ONLY PLANET WITH CHOCOLATE