urban tree canopy
Newsletter
Los Angeles' shade disparity reflects deeper social inequities
A new grant-funded program aims to plant trees in Los Angeles' underserved neighborhoods, addressing the stark inequity in tree canopy coverage linked to health and climate resilience.
In short:
- Boyle Heights is launching a robust tree-planting initiative to combat the area's severe shortage of tree canopy, which is as low as 5% in some neighborhoods compared to 40% in wealthier areas.
- The endeavor is supported by the California Natural Resources Agency and seeks to improve community health outcomes and environmental sustainability.
- The city's goal is to create a more equitable distribution of green spaces, acknowledging the crucial role of urban forestry in the well-being of its residents.
Key quote:
“There’s a tremendous amount of evidence that in areas with adequate greening, we have reduced attention deficit disorder, reduced cardiovascular illness and respiratory illness, less depression and better pregnancy outcomes.”
— Michael Jerrett, professor of environmental health sciences, UCLA
Why this matters:
Equitable tree distribution is more than an aesthetic issue; it's a matter of public health and social justice. In the face of rising temperatures, enhancing tree coverage in underprivileged areas is vital to improving overall health outcomes and fostering resilience against the climate crisis.
Too often, analysis and problem solving takes place removed from real people’s lives, while problems at the ground level are misunderstood or ignored.
Catalyst Miami, and many other community-based nonprofits, are working to change that.
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A scientist in Louisville is compiling data on trees and human health
An ongoing science experiment involves nearly 8,000 trees and shrubs in southern Louisville and health data from nearly 500 residents.
How a $9 million grant will boost Pittsburgh's urban forest
The City of Pittsburgh along with Tree Pittsburgh and eight other partners will receive $9 million to improve the city’s tree canopy and address blight.
São Paulo students plant mini-forests on school grounds as urban oases
Four thousand students planted nearly 10,000 trees on public school grounds in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2022, and another eight mini-forests will be planted in 2023.
In Atlanta, a planned police training center stirs environmental justice concerns
Preservationists say the facility would impact several predominantly Black neighborhoods and continue the erosion of the city’s distinctive tree canopy. A series of clashes between police and protesters have left one activist dead.
Top Story
Six ways one of the coldest cities on the planet needs to adapt to climate change
As Winnipeggers head to the polls, here are some key things the next mayor needs to be talking about when it comes to the climate crisis, from transit to trees.
Chesapeake Bay region loses ground in effort to increase tree canopy
Cover image: Orange plastic tape hangs from mature trees in an eight-acre wooded tract in Charlottesville, VA, which a developer plans to clear to build new homes. (Dave Harp)
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