American Forests Unveils Innovative Planning System at NCPC Meeting

American Forests
Friday, 7 December 2001

New Technology Could Dramatically Change Urban Design Methods in DC and Elsewhere

WASHINGTON, DC (December 7, 2001) - New technology that could revolutionize urban planning was unveiled this morning at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington, DC. Officials with AMERICAN FORESTS (americanforests.org) demonstrated new technology that makes it easier for local leaders and city planners to include trees in the decision-making and development process.

By combining high-resolution satellite imagery and a computer software program, CITYgreen, designed by AMERICAN FORESTS, the organization showed local planners how to calculate tree canopy percentages for each ward and the surrounding communities. Those percentages were then used to calculate the economic value the trees provide in reducing stormwater runoff and removing pollutants.

"AMERICAN FORESTS has handed the baton -- or in this case computer software and satellite imagery -- to local decision makers which gives them the power to calculate the environmental and economic benefits existing trees provide or model the effect that development has on their communities," says Gary Moll, vice president of AMERICAN FORESTS, the nation's oldest nonprofit conservation organization and a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry. "And hopefully we can win the race to reduce our nation's tree deficit."

This information is especially significant considering DC Council member Phil Mendelson has proposed legislation to protect urban trees. A hearing is scheduled for this Monday, December 10.

AMERICAN FORESTS used the highest-resolution satellite imagery currently available to assess the tree cover of a 634-square mile section of the DC Metro Area and found the region has 45% tree canopy. The report also shows Ward 1 in the District of Columbia has 8% tree cover, while the canopy of Ward 3 is 46%. The District's overall canopy is 22%. In terms of environmental and economic benefits, the tree canopy of Ward 1 provides an estimated $4,417,900 in stormwater control value. The tree cover of DC's Ward 3 provides $28,105,910 in stormwater benefits.

AMERICAN FORESTS has been working on this study for the past six months. Some of the findings were unveiled at a news conference at the National Urban Forest Conference in early September. The report was conducted with generous support from USDA Forest Service, the Casey Trees Endowment Fund, and the National Capital Planning Commission.

For more information, or to contact American Forests, see their website at: www.americanforests.org