Discover How Missoula Sets the Standard for Green Infrastructure in Storm Recovery

Severe storms last year devastated Missoula’s urban forest, destroying thousands of trees and leaving lasting impacts on public safety, city budgets, and community well-being. As highlighted in recent coverage, storm recovery is not just about clearing debris—it’s about restoring the essential “green infrastructure” that trees provide: shade, stormwater management, and improved air quality.

Thanks to partnerships between city agencies, nonprofits, and local volunteers, replanting efforts are underway, bringing new life to parks and public spaces. These collaborations show the power of community action in building resilience and ensuring our urban forests continue to thrive.

Investing in storm recovery isn’t just about trees—it’s about protecting the health, safety, and future of our cities. 

Common Pests and Diseases in the US Landscape

UPCOMING WEBINAR:

July 30, 2025 | Noon MT

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.

Green Areas and Mortality in the Florentine Plain 

A recent health impact assessment highlights the critical role of urban green spaces in reducing mortality across Florence and neighboring municipalities:

URBAN GREEN SPACE MATTERS: Increasing green areas could prevent hundreds of avoidable deaths each year. For example, reaching a moderate greenness threshold could avert an estimated 335 deaths annually, while a high greenness threshold (NDVI ≥ 0.7) could prevent up to 830 deaths.

INCREMENTAL GAINS SAVE LIVES: Even modest increases in greenery—such as a +0.1 NDVI or +20% more green space—could save 305 and 248 lives per year, respectively.

WHO RECOMMENDATIONS: Meeting the WHO's recommended green space threshold could still prevent 54 deaths annually, with the greatest potential for improvement in central urban areas where greenery is currently lowest.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The findings underscore the substantial public health benefits of urban forestry and the urgent need for city planners and policymakers to invest in green infrastructure.

Investing in urban green spaces is not just about aesthetics—it’s a proven strategy to save lives and improve the well-being of city residents.

Tree Equity in Washington: A Critical Moment 

KUOW’s recent article highlights the growing challenge of achieving tree equity in Washington, as funding for urban forestry faces steep cuts. These reductions threaten vital programs that protect communities from extreme heat and improve public health—especially in underserved neighborhoods.

PlanIT Geo is proud to have partnered with the City of Renton to develop their Urban Forest Management Plan and conduct a comprehensive Tree Canopy Assessment. Our work helps Renton strategically grow and maintain its urban forest, even as funding landscapes shift.

Now more than ever, innovative collaboration is essential to sustain and expand urban forests. PlanIT Geo remains committed to supporting resilient, equitable urban forestry solutions across Washington and beyond.

The Cost of Cutting Corners: Why Saving Trees Matters More Than Ever

Atlanta is taking bold steps to protect its urban canopy by proposing a major overhaul of its tree ordinance—including tripling the penalties for illegal tree removals. This move sends a clear message: trees are not just landscape features, but vital assets for our environment and community well-being.

Why does this matter?

STEEPER FINES are a strong deterrent, encouraging property owners and developers to prioritize preservation and follow proper procedures.
HEALTHY TREE COVER helps combat urban heat, improves air quality, and supports biodiversity—benefits we can’t afford to lose.
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH means balancing development with environmental stewardship, ensuring Atlanta remains a vibrant, livable city for generations to come.

How Can Early Tree Assessment Reduce Storm Damage in Hurricane-Prone Areas

With hurricane season approaching, it’s crucial to prepare your landscape and trees to minimize storm damage and protect your property. Experts recommend starting early: monitor your trees for signs of disease, dying or broken branches, and unusual trunk or root issues like bulges or mushrooms, which may signal hidden problems. Structural pruning—especially for young trees—helps build resilience, while mature trees benefit from regular professional assessments and targeted pruning to remove weak limbs.

Other smart steps include trimming shrubs, securing outdoor items, clearing gutters, and turning off irrigation before storms hit. Healthy, well-maintained trees are far more likely to withstand high winds and heavy rain, reducing the risk of costly damage. As UF/IFAS urban forestry agent Alyssa Vinson notes, “All management that leads to a healthier plant leads to a landscape that’s more resilient to disturbance.” A little preparation now can make a big difference when severe weather arrives.

How Trees at Schools Are Boosting Student Success and Well-Being

A growing body of research—and recent coverage in The Guardian—shows that planting more trees at schools does far more than beautify campuses: it directly improves student performance and well-being. Studies confirm that schoolyard tree cover is strongly linked to higher academic achievement in both math and reading, with the greatest benefits seen in under-resourced communities. Trees cool overheated playgrounds, reduce air pollution, and create healthier, more inviting spaces for learning and play.

Beyond academics, green schoolyards help lower stress, boost attention, and support better mental health for students.

As Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, puts it:
“Green space doesn’t just support childhood development – it supercharges it.”

Investing in trees at schools is a proven, equitable strategy to help students thrive—both inside and outside the classroom.

Youth-Led Tree Inventories Bring Innovation to Eugene’s Urban Forest

Teens in Eugene and Springfield are gaining hands-on experience in tree measurement and inventory—building real-world skills while helping shape a healthier, more resilient urban forest.

By transitioning from paper records to TreePlotter, a cloud-based GIS platform, the city is modernizing its tree management with real-time data collection, interactive mapping, and improved accuracy. This shift not only boosts efficiency but also empowers the next generation of environmental leaders.

Eugene’s youth are proving that the future of urban forestry is both bright—and digital.

We are your partner in urban forestry, with innovative software and expert services to support all aspects of mapping and managing urban greenspace.