The 3+30+300 Rule is Reshaping Cities Like Fort Collins, Colorado
The 3+30+300 Rule is reshaping how cities like Fort Collins, Colorado, plan for greener, healthier, and more equitable communities. Here’s how this innovative, evidence-based framework is making an impact:
3: Ensure everyone can see at least 3 trees from their home, school, or office—linked to reduced stress and better mental health.
30: Target 30% tree canopy cover in every neighborhood for cooler summers, improved sleep, and lower heart disease risk.
300: Guarantee no one lives more than 300 meters from a quality green space, providing equitable access to parks and recreation.
By setting clear, measurable goals, the 3+30+300 Rule turns complex urban greening into actionable strategies. Fort Collins used geospatial tools to assess gaps, prioritize neighborhoods in need, and direct 78% of new tree plantings to underserved areas. The result? Improved community health, resilience, and trust—plus a 37% reduction in water use thanks to smart irrigation and native species selection.
This data-driven, people-first approach ensures every resident benefits from urban trees and parks—not just a privileged few. With tools like TreePlotter CANOPY and NatureScore™, cities can track progress, involve communities, and adapt strategies for local climate and cultural needs.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is transforming how cities balance urban development and tree preservation. As highlighted in this Nadina Galle article, GPR allows arborists to map tree roots non-invasively, providing a detailed, science-based foundation for decision-making.
One key fact: GPR helped save a 200-year-old red oak in Ontario by showing that nearby sidewalk repairs wouldn’t compromise the tree’s stability.
Another: GPR is increasingly used to resolve legal disputes over boundary trees by offering clear, impartial evidence of root locations—helping cities and developers find solutions that protect both housing needs and urban canopy.
Read the full story to see how technology is bridging the gap between progress and preservation.
Trees are an essential part of our urban and peri-urban landscapes. They provide innumerable amounts of benefits for people, wildlife, and society. However, trees in urban environments are often more susceptible to a range of plant-damaging pests and diseases. In this talk, we'll learn about some common biotic issues affecting urban trees and explore practical management practices. Featured speaker, Patrick Anderson, Director of Research & Arborologists for Rainbow Ecoscience
Transforming Urban Forestry with TreePlotter and CRM Integration
The City of Burlington, Ontario, partnered with PlanIT Geo to integrate its CRM system with TreePlotter, revolutionizing its urban forestry operations. Two standout highlights from the case study:
-The city developed a two-way API that instantly syncs resident service requests and work order updates between the CRM and TreePlotter, eliminating duplicate data entry and SAVING STAFF 30 HOURS PER WEEK.
-This digital workflow not only improved efficiency and accountability but also empowered the forestry department to demonstrate its high service demand—helping secure increased staffing and funding for urban tree care
Check out the full case study to get all the details of this impactful project.
Green Spaces Linked to Lower Rates of Police Violence
A new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study, published in "Environment and Behavior," finds a clear association between green space and reduced fatal police shootings across 3,100 U.S. counties (2016–2021).
KEY FINDINGS:
Fewer Shootings in Greener Areas.
Stronger Impact in Disadvantaged Communities.
Why It Matters
Quality Counts
Expanding and maintaining high-quality green spaces can be a powerful tool for urban safety and equity, especially in underserved communities. Urban foresters and planners should prioritize greening as part of holistic community safety strategies.
Urban Trees and Crime: Designing Safer, Greener Communities
Urban forests are powerful tools for creating safer, healthier, and more connected communities when designed with intention and equity. The latest insights from PlanIT Geo highlight that trees alone do not determine crime rates—it’s how we plan, maintain, and integrate them using principles like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) that makes the difference. Thoughtful strategies such as maintaining clear sightlines, proactive stewardship, and community engagement foster both safety and neighborhood pride. Studies show that even a 10% increase in tree canopy can lead to a 12% drop in crime. By prioritizing visibility, collaboration, and equity in urban forestry, cities can transform green infrastructure into investments in public safety and resilience.
Effective Street Tree and Grass Designs to Cool European Neighbourhoods
“Every unit of added tree canopy cover can help to reduce local air temperature on hot days, and increasing canopy cover through tree planting is likely to lead to cooling in those locations. This study builds on the large body of research on tree canopy benefits in urban areas, adding new insight into the role of trees along sidewalks in affecting variation in temperature at fine scales, in a neighborhood where people live and work. Trees offer a viable nature-based solution to help address current and future urban heat problems.”
Harnessing Adbian Technology for Smarter Urban Tree Management
Urban forestry is entering a new era with the introduction of Adbian technology—a cutting-edge tool that uses advanced biomechanics and 3D modeling to assess urban tree stability. This innovation enables more precise, science-backed risk assessments, helping cities reduce unnecessary tree removals and preserve valuable canopy cover. By integrating Adbian’s insights with existing urban forestry platforms, communities can make smarter, data-driven decisions for safer, greener, and more resilient cities. Excited to see this technology launch in the US later this year!
Learn more about how Adbian is shaping the future of urban tree management in our latest blog.
Stay ahead in the evolving world of urban forestry! The Trees + Tech Summit offers presentations, panel discussions, and networking focused on the latest technology, data, and innovations shaping urban forestry. Attendees gain exposure to cutting-edge tools, actionable strategies for their own communities, continuing education credits, and the opportunity to connect with leaders and peers from public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Fayetteville, Arkansas has launched an exciting Community Forester Program, setting a new standard in urban forestry leadership. Guided by a comprehensive Urban Forestry Management Plan shaped with broad community input, the city is focusing on data-driven goals, proactive maintenance, and equitable canopy growth.
This program empowers residents, strengthens neighborhood resilience, and advances a greener, healthier Fayetteville. It’s a strong example of how strategic planning and public engagement can transform urban forests.
PlanIT Geo was pleased to support Fayetteville in developing its Urban Forestry Management Plan!
Urban Parks Can Support Both Visitors and Biodiversity
A new Florida-based study published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening challenges the idea that urban parks must choose between serving people and supporting biodiversity. By analyzing 639 parks in Broward County, researchers found that larger greenspaces with features like nature preserves, playgrounds, bodies of water, and dog parks can successfully support both high biodiversity and public use. The study highlights that thoughtful design—especially integrating nature-friendly amenities and considering park size—allows urban parks to meet the needs of both visitors and wildlife. These findings offer valuable guidance for urban planners and foresters aiming to create parks that are both vibrant community spaces and vital ecological havens.
The Power of Digital Solutions in Preserving Heritage Landscapes on a Global Scale
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) manages over 23,000 sites in 78 countries, honoring 1.7 million casualties from the World Wars. To standardize and modernize tree and landscape management across this vast network, CWGC adopted TreePlotter. Key achievements since implementation:
Standardized tree care and risk management across all regions, overcoming language barriers with automated translations and user-friendly tools.
Centralized real-time data and mapping for 16,000+ trees, enabling better oversight, maintenance tracking, and emergency response.
Integrated carbon sequestration and sustainability metrics, supporting climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.
Enhanced accessibility and training for global teams with online modules and multilingual support.
Looking ahead, CWGC plans to launch a public portal for historic trees and expand its sustainability reporting—plus, a new project to plant 39,000 trees worldwide by 2039! This case study is a testament to the power of digital solutions in preserving heritage landscapes and advancing sustainability on a global scale.
