The City of Toronto is partnering with American Forests and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), a non-profit conservation organization, to launch a new Tree Equity Score Analyzer.
The free online public tool allows users to take a closer look at tree equity – a way to describe whether a community is experiencing all the health, economic and climate benefits trees can provide – to design tree planting plans to make a positive impact on their community.
City staff worked with American Forests to provide local, provincial and federal data to create a Toronto-specific tool that examines which parts of the city will benefit the most from tree planting.
The new Tree Equity Score Analyzer provides a deeper level of data and insights to help users work site-by-site to improve Tree Equity Scores that is expressed as a number between 0 and 100. Each score indicates whether there are enough trees in a neighbourhood. The lower the number, the higher the priority to improve tree equity.
The Tree Equity Score Analyzer uses high-resolution tree canopy data to uncover where trees currently exist within a community and where they could potentially be planted to expand the urban forest. The tool looks at key indicators such as neighborhoods with low-income and heat disparity to prioritize areas with the greatest need.
Community organizations and leaders can use the tool to explore possible planting scenarios, set targets and track progress. The Tree Equity Score Analyzer provides auto-generated reports that estimate the projected economic, health and environmental benefits of each tree planting initiative. Benefits include reducing air temperatures, removing air pollution and improving physical and mental well-being.
While the tool provides any user to explore the data and develop planting scenarios, the data within the tool is also being used to inform City programs and services to expand the tree canopy cover where it is needed the most. The tool will also help the City as it works towards reaching its target of 40 per cent canopy cover by 2050.
More information on the Tree Equity Score Analyzer can be found on the City’s webpage.
Quotes:
“Data-driven strategies can transform communities. For the first time, different levels of tree cover in neighborhoods across the City will be mapped to help us ensure that we’re planting trees in the areas of the city that will benefit most. As we look to expand the city’s tree canopy, I’m looking forward to this new approach helping us maintain and grow our beautiful city in a park.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“This is an exciting partnership, one that will help us take a major step forward in our mission to reach a target of 40 per cent tree canopy cover by 2050. Through the program, we will soon see even more collaboration to support and enhance spaces suited for tree growth in neighbourhoods across the City, and most importantly, help determine how to best protect existing and future foliage.”
– Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale), Mayor’s Environmental Champion
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