Urban Tree Canopy

In accordance with objectives from the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan, our office plans to expand equitable urban tree canopy cover in disadvantaged communities experiencing low canopy cover, extreme urban heat, and risk of flooding. Our office will encourage long-term forest planning, assessment, and monitoring through the establishment of an urban tree canopy assessment coupled with multi-year software subscriptions. Software will be used to monitor urban forests and plan best practices for tree plantings. In addition to monitoring changes in canopy cover and forest health, the software will be used to plan appropriate tree species plantings in locations where they will not negatively impact surrounding power line infrastructure. A county-wide urban tree canopy assessment will be used to accurately determine priority planting areas based on vulnerable populations susceptible to climate related impacts as well as improve resilience in both our urban forests and underserved communities.