(a) The purpose of this chapter is to:

1. (1) Promote the use of urban forest resources for purposes of increasing integrated projects with multiple benefits in urban communities, including, but not limited to, the following:

   1. (A) Expanded urban forest canopy.
   2. (B) Community greening.
   3. (C) Increased carbon sequestration.
   4. (D) Reduced energy consumption.
   5. (E) Reduction of impacts of the urban heat island effect.
   6. (F) Improved management of stormwater and dry weather runoff.
   7. (G) Improved local water capture and efficient use of water for urban forest maintenance.
   8. (H) Climate adaptation, with an emphasis on disadvantaged communities.
2. (2) Stop the decline of our urban forest resources, facilitate the planting of trees in urban communities, and improve the quality of the environment in urban areas through the establishment and improved management of urban forest resources.
3. (3) Facilitate the creation of permanent jobs in tree maintenance and related urban forestry activities in neighborhood, local, and regional urban areas to enable workforce training for young women and men in disadvantaged communities.
4. (4) Optimize the potential of tree and vegetative cover in reducing energy consumption and producing fuel and other products.
5. (5) Encourage the coordination of state and local agency activities in urban forestry and related programs and encourage maximum community participation in their development and implementation.
6. (6) Assist the Department of Agriculture to prevent the introduction and spread within this state of known and potentially damaging or devastating invasive pests and diseases.
7. (7) Reduce or eliminate tree loss resulting from invasive pests and diseases.
8. (8) Promote policies and incentives for implementing entities that advance improved maintenance of urban forest canopy to optimize multiple benefits.