A new national tree canopy assessment tool, available at TreesAtWork.org, provides high-resolution data to help cities track tree cover changes, prioritize planting efforts, and enhance urban resilience.
A new national tree canopy assessment tool is now available, providing cities across the U.S. with high-resolution data to evaluate local and regional tree cover and track changes over time. As urban areas face increasing challenges from extreme heat, storms, and air pollution, this tool equips community leaders with essential insights to prioritize tree planting and protection efforts where they are needed most. Developed through a collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation, PlanIT Geo, and the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program, the tool enables users to analyze land cover statistics, urban development patterns, and tree canopy data down to the census block group level, fostering more strategic and equitable urban forestry initiatives.
Hosted at TreesAtWork.org, the platform will continue to expand with additional data and resources throughout 2025, including a National Baseline Canopy Assessment Report that will provide an in-depth analysis of urban tree canopy trends nationwide. By offering actionable intelligence on tree loss and investment impacts, the tool supports cities in making informed decisions to enhance climate resilience, improve air quality, and expand equitable green infrastructure. As Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, emphasized, this tool represents a significant step toward shaping healthier, more sustainable communities through strategic urban forestry planning.
FULL STORY: New National Tree Canopy Assessment Tool Now Live
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research