In 2023, the USDA Forest Service awarded $1 billion to nearly 400 projects to expand access to trees and green spaces in communities nationwide. Garland, Texas was one awardee, receiving $1 million to increase tree canopy in neighborhoods with minimal coverage. The core objective of the IRA grants are to enhance urban forest benefits in underserved areas. Grantees, such as the City of Garland, must demonstrate that 100% of their project benefits go to disadvantaged communities. This is an incredible opportunity, especially since IRA grants are available with no match requirements, but grant winners and future applicants must have a plan for tracking their efforts closely. To support this process, PlanIT Geo recently released the Land Cover and Tree Equity (LCTE) Data Pack, an add-on to TreePlotter™.
Camping season has arrived in North America. When it comes to firewood: 🏕️BURN IT WHERE YOU BUY IT🏕️ A new study found that quarantines remain a key strategy in Emerald Ash Borer control. Keeping your firewood local helps limit the spread of invasive pests.
The UCFS Nominations Committee is soliciting qualified UCFS Members to help the organization deliver on its mission to grow the competence, confidence, and camaraderie of all professionals who grow and care for community forests! Nominations are due September 2, 2024.
UPCOMING WEBINAR: Florida’s Statewide Urban Tree Canopy Assessment
June 6 noon MST: An incredible, free urban forest resource is now available to Florida communities: an urban tree canopy assessment of 488 Florida cities, towns, and Census Designated Places. Rachel Ormseth, Account Executive at PlanIT Geo, will host Todd Little, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator at the Florida Forest Service, to demonstrate how communities can freely view and analyze the canopy results of their community on an interactive web application.
New research finds that in Los Angeles, planting more trees and deploying more reflective surfaces, such as painting roofs white, could lower temperatures so dramatically, it’d cut the number of heat-related ER visits by up to 66%.
Ptolemy Inc., a palm health care company based in South Florida, leverages their ability to map and manage thousands of trees to stand apart from the competition. We spoke with Jeff Kaulbars, President of Ptolemy, to get the inside scoop on the company's story, it's unique name, and how they utilize TreePlotter INVENTORY™
The European Environment Agency analyzed 19,000 local climate adaptation plans and found 91% of European cities are implementing nature-based solutions to boost climate resilience, such as Madrid's 75 km Metropolitan Forest ring
Promoting Environmental Justice in Urban Tree Plans
Researched examined 107 urban forest management plans to see how environmental justice goals were defined, prioritized, or neglected. See their findings and recommendations in the City Trees
This blog sweeps across the country to look at how different states implement their IRA urban forestry grants. Give it a read to see which states are currently accepting applications, key application details, and how urban forestry software can strengthen grant applications and support projects.
Park Proximity and Older Adults’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Dense Urban Areas
One of the many ways greenspace improves public health is it's ability to encourage physical activity. A study of older adults in Japan found the number of parks within a 1600 m buffer from participants’ homes was associated with more breaks in sedentary behavior.
