Dayton is developing an urban forest master plan, using a $2 million grant to expand its tree canopy, address decades of tree loss, and enhance environmental equity across the city.

Dayton's tree canopy covers less than a quarter of most neighborhoods. Some areas, including downtown and Midtown, have particularly low coverage at under 6%. As reported by Cornelius Frolik, the city has lost thousands of street trees in recent decades due to factors like the emerald ash borer infestation and severe storms, including the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes. Recognizing the benefits of urban forests in reducing pollution, lowering temperatures, and enhancing neighborhood aesthetics, the city is developing a comprehensive plan to expand and maintain its tree canopy. This effort aligns with broader environmental and sustainability goals that many Dayton residents support.
To guide its reforestation efforts, Dayton is using a $2 million federal grant to conduct an urban tree inventory, a tree canopy assessment, and develop an urban forest master plan. The assessment will document tree species, conditions, and maintenance needs while identifying potential planting sites. Some neighborhoods, like Germantown Meadows and Cornell Heights, already have over 40% tree cover, but others, such as Webster Station and Midtown, remain well below 10%. The city hopes to use this data to strategically target areas in need of more greenery and plan for long-term investments in tree maintenance.
Dayton has been planting trees annually, with 86 trees added last fall and 300 more set for spring. Between 2017 and 2023, nearly 1,000 trees were planted, but officials acknowledge that more needs to be done to reverse decades of tree loss. Research highlights the connection between tree canopy coverage and equity, with lower-income areas having significantly less greenery than wealthier neighborhoods. While some residents have raised concerns about tree maintenance and potential nuisances, many agree that a stronger urban forest will provide lasting environmental and community benefits. The city’s ongoing efforts aim to enhance tree equity, improve public health, and make Dayton a greener, more livable city for future generations.
FULL STORY: Trees cover less than a quarter of Dayton. The city hopes to change that

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland