Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
200 D.W. BROOKS DR
ATHENS,GA 30602-5016
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The threat of tree failure damage to coastal communities is related to increasing frequency and intensity of storms. Preliminary evidence suggests that insurance companies are implementing policies that could influence community forest management decisions. These policies include increasing premiums, denying coverage, or suggesting the removal of trees, all of which represent a negative adaptation to climate change because not all trees are vulnerable to storms. Proper management activities such as appropriate species selection and placement, pruning and tree health care can mitigate risk. In turn, a healthy and abundant tree canopy is a critical step towards climate change resilience. The goal of this project is to promote adoption of climate smart practices through appropriate mitigation of risks in urban and peri-urban forests. To this end, we aim to promote conservation, protection, and market development through effective extension educational design, corresponding to Goal 2 of the 2023 National Focus Funds program. We will build networks, understanding, and communication among property owners, tree care workers (including private and public tree arborists), and the insurance industry. This will, in turn, shape the future of forests within and surrounding coastal communities. Currently, there is very little interaction between the tree care and insurance industries. This project will identify the policies and practices used by the insurance industry to mitigate their risk and develop opportunities for the insurance and tree care industries to increase their knowledge about tree risk and management as well as improve working relationships.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to promote adoption of climate smart practices through appropriate mitigation of risks in urban and peri-urban forests. To this end, we aim to promote conservation, protection, and market development through effective extension educational design, corresponding to Goal 2 of the 2023 National Focus Funds program.
Project Methods
Because virtually nothing is known about the relationship between insurance and community trees, we will employ an insurance database, an online survey, interviews, and focus groups as a needs assessment to inform outreach efforts. All three methods are necessary to successfully reach the various stakeholder groups and gain adequate information for developing relevant program material. The project directors are experienced with all activities.a. Describe the extent of the issue (Objective 1)Following the record-breaking hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, many insurance companies tightened their underwriting requirements for coastal home insurance with respect to house-adjacent trees and other factors. In some cases, tree removal was required for a policy to be issued. Using a database managed by Dr. Powell at CIIR, we will estimate the effect of these underwriting policy changes by observing adjacent trees before and after home insurance underwriting. We will use home sale transactions as a proxy for underwriting events because insurance must be placed on a house at closing if the house is purchased with a mortgage. We will then draw a representative random sample of home sale transactions in coastal counties that occurred between 2007 (Google Maps history feature begins in 2007) and 2016 from theCoreLogic database (CoreLogic data include more than 2,000,000 observations of home sales in coastal counties during our sample period). Variables include sale date, address, geographic coordinates, and the presence of a mortgage, among many others). We will observe these locations from aerial and street view perspectives using the history feature of Google Maps.Based on the focus group findings, we will develop a short survey that will be reviewed by our project supporters for accuracy and correct terminology. Using a 2-wave survey panel (contracted from a private firm) to ensure an acceptable response rate, the survey will target Certified Arborists and insurance service partners. The survey will validate the database findings as well as inform Objective 2 by identifying current policies, barriers, and opportunities for education and communication. b. Identify the current policies, barriers, and opportunities (Objective 2)We will accomplish Objective 2 with two needs assessment methods. First, we will conduct interviews with several of the key insurance industry executives and policy-makers (approximately 10) from companies such as State Farm, Farm Bureau, Allstate, Progressive, and industry associations. Open-ended questions will examine the industry's impacts on residential green landscapes as well as current perspectives on climate change issues and policy. Speaking with upper executives is an effective method of understanding the industry's needs because many of the service providers follow the policies and practices of the larger firms.Second, focus groups will provide relatively efficient, inexpensive, and in-depth information to identify the policies and practices used by both underwriters and service providers to mitigate their risk. Focus groups with the tree care industry professionals will describe their experience with insurance. Several focus groups will be conducted during two major conference events of each of the respective industries (ISA and NAMIC). Two of the co-PIs, one urban forestry expert and one insurance specialist, will facilitate the meetings. Sessions will identify insurance influences on tree management decisions, risk perceptions, interventions, and the basis for working or not working with a certified professional tree care worker. Participants will be contacted through our project supporters (see support letters - ISA represents over 20 thousand members and NAMIC has an annual meeting of nearly 2,000 insurance executives and service partners representing about 550 companies).Data from these needs assessment methods will be used to inform Objective 3, the educational approach. However, we will also report findings in at least one peer-reviewed publication (submitted to journals such as Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and The Journal of Insurance Regulation which have both academic and practitioner audiences). Content of these manuscripts will be communicated in oral presentations at industry meetings. A description of the process of Extension's role in the improvement of communications and networking between private industries will be developed for, e.g., Journal of Extension or Journal of Human Sciences and Extension.c. Implement networking, communication, and educational opportunities through extension activities (Objective 3)Most of the effort of this project will concentrate on Objective 3. Findings from the first two objectives will be used to create extension events and products (see Expected Outputs). Events and products are intended to reach the broadest audience possible to result in the greatest impact. Key events include two workshops at industry events and a symposium. These 3 events are intended to reach the two industries independently as well as bring representatives together for communication (the symposium).As with any needs assessment and extension activity, stakeholder participation is the greatest limiting factor. The industry authority of our partners organizations will help ensure high participation for needs assessment, outreach events, and distribution of materials. Although a substantial investment, the panel survey method helps ensure an acceptable response rate.?