As used in this title:

1. "Urban forestry" means the planning, establishment, protection and other management of trees and other vegetation in urban areas for present and potential contribution to the physiological, sociological, and economic well-being of urban society. An important component of urban forestry is "arboriculture" which more specifically includes the planting, growing, maintenance and protection of trees and shrubs, individually and in small groups.

2. "Urban forestry plan" means a comprehensive plan for the selection, establishment, maintenance and management of existing and future trees and associated vegetation in an urban area, which plan shall, to the maximum extent possible, present an analysis of physical, biotic, and social conditions of present and potential sites for vegetation, and of improvement needs, opportunities and planned projects within an urban area.

3. "Urban areas" means cities, villages or towns with a population density of greater than one thousand persons per square mile.

4. "Contributed funds" means money donated by residents of an urban area and others to an urban area for urban forestry or arboriculture within that urban area.

5. "Public funds" means money appropriated by a non-federal government entity for urban forestry or arboriculture within that urban area.

6. "Vacant public land" means any land owned by a state agency, public authority, public benefit corporation or municipal corporation that is not used, is unoccupied or idle; including rights-of-ways but excluding land subject to use restrictions under law.

7. "Municipal forester" means a municipal official appointed by the chief executive officer of a municipal corporation to act as a liaison with the department and the public for the purposes set forth in this article.