Governance lessons from Australian local governments for retaining and protecting urban forests as nature based solutions

The author provides a theoretical framework for understanding the governance in the context of urban forest retention and protection and discuss governance lessons emanating from a collaborative knowledge co-production research project carried out with professionals working in an urban forest capacity within local governments in Victoria, Australia. These lessons include: (1) engaging in collective decision making to influence development decisions; (2) enhancing inter-departmental coordination; (3) innovating in regulations and incentives for trees on private urban lands; (4) adopting a multifunctional narrative in urban forestry; and (5) engaging with the community.