URBAN FOREST

Atlanta’s tree canopy brings health benefits

American Forests, a national nonprofit conservation organization, delivered its extensive analysis of urban forests in Atlanta and is moving forward with the next phase: strategic tree planting and a community outreach and education program.

This study, funded by Bank of America and the U.S. Forest Service, focused on the environmental and public health benefits from the urban tree canopy in the Atlanta metropolitan area and is part of American Forests’ Community ReLeaf program, which conducts urban tree canopy assessments in targeted cities around the country to establish a scientific foundation for urban forest management, develop forest restoration projects with local partners and provide educational outreach.

American Forests conducted volunteer tree planting events in autumn 2013 and spring 2014, and is providing its local partner Trees Atlanta with a $30,000 grant to educate and work with the public to plant an additional 100 trees in some of the area’s most canopy-deficient areas.

American Forests used satellite imagery and special software to analyze tree canopy coverage as it relates to income, race and age. The study area’s urban tree canopy removes approximately 3.6 million pounds of air pollution annually, equating to almost $12.6 million in health benefits to residents and businesses.

“Trees and green spaces have been shown to have surprising benefits for urban kids, from improving health to reducing stress,” said Scott Steen, president & CEO of American Forests.

U.S Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell has called urban trees “the hardest working trees in America.” The Forest Service is active in more than 7,000 communities across the U.S., helping them to better plan and manage their urban forests.