ASH and ELM CONSULTING LLC
Meet Our Team
Geof Donovan: Benefits of trees expertise
​​​After 25 years of demonstrating the value of the natural environment using economic analyses, I can confidently state that trees save lives. When I began studying urban trees, I explored some of their more intuitive benefits, including lower summertime cooling costs, reduced stormwater runoff, reduced crime, and higher property values.
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After a few years I realized that the most important benefit of nature is its power to promote health and well-being. My research shows that urban trees are associated with a wide range of positive public-health outcomes including improving birth outcomes, reducing childhood asthma and ADHD, lowering incidence of childhood leukemia, and even reducing mortality rates.
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Trees and nature give us so much. I would like to give something back. My research provides evidence of the restorative and therapeutic benefits of nature, and I am committed to sharing this knowledge. My focus has always been on policy-relevant research questions with real-world impacts. I can use this experience to help you solve problems by offering analysis and scientifically-based recommendations that can lead to real-world change.
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Rachel White: Science communication
​​​​​​​Science reveals how the world works. It also provides an objective frame of reference for society to collectively solve problems. But it can only do this if people know about it and understand it. I have 20 years of experience as a science communicator. My expertise centers around creating clear, compelling narratives that distill important findings and implications of science for non-science audiences. I have specific expertise with policy analysis, communicating complex technical information to the public using plain language, collaborating with subject matter experts, and harnessing the power of science to create well-crafted thought leadership.
Why Choose Us?
Explore our services
Presentations, workshops, and classes
We present scientific material to non-technical audiences in an engaging and compelling way.
Original research
We can help with all phases of research from study design, through data collection and analysis, to publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Management plans
We can create plans for the long-term management of urban forests, parks, and other open space that maximize benefit while reducing risk. We specialize in the management of risk from invasive species (such as emerald ash borer), wildfire, and drought.​
Data analysis
We have extensive experience with a broad range of sophisticated statistical techniques. These techniques can be used to analyze existing data, perform cost-benefit analyses, or design protocols to collect and analyze new data or establish monitoring programs.
Expert testimony
In legal matters or litigation, our specialized knowledge can help a courtroom understand technical or scientific evidence on urban forestry.
Grant proposals
We also write grant proposals, or offer consultation to prospective grantees on how to build a compelling, science-driven case for your proposal.
Geospatial analyses
​We provide a range of geospatial products from simple maps to complex geospatial analyses using cutting edge technologies such as LiDAR and hyperspectral imagery.
Communication products
Scientific reports and journal articles are often difficult to understand for non-specialists. Therefore, we offer tailored communications products with all our consultations including briefing papers, factsheets, infographics, and web content.
Reports
We specialize in describing and quantifying the non-market benefits of the natural environment. Put more simply, we can give you the scientific grounding to speak up for nature.
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We write reports that use the best available science to answer management questions such as: What are the implications of tree ordinances? How can trees and housing development coexist? Does tree planting affect gentrification? What are the co-benefits of green infrastructure?
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Reports can be focused on specific benefits such as climate mitigation, storm-water management, and improvements in public health, or they can be comprehensive in scope. These scientific syntheses can be used to develop policy recommendations and revised language for legal code.
Click to read "Want to live longer? Consider planting a tree."
