Graduate Abstract

Lisa Ortega
Spring 2005

Of trees and community: Do Community tree plantings build social capital?

by

Lisa Ortega

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2001

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the

Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science

Department of Environmental Studies
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs

Graduate College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Spring 2005

Advisor: Dr. Krystyna Stave, Examination Committee Chair
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

ABSTRACT

Boulder City, Nevada's implementation of community planting projects has been used as a case study for the development of social capital. The purpose of this study is to explore whether community tree planting events build social capital. This study is significant in that the findings might serve as valuable information that can be used by planning agencies in establishing strategies toward building more livable communities. The work is relevant to the study of social capital within urban forestry, as social capital can be employed as a mechanism in the development of citizen based, community oriented public programs. Urban forestry can be defined simply as "the area in and around the places we live that has or can have trees" (Moll, 1995, p. 12).