27 CityTREES
An article by USDA Forest Service research
scientists Michelle Kondo and colleagues
in the journal Lancet Planetary Health
created a global buzz in reporting results of
a new citywide health impact assessment
of achieving a 30% canopy cover goal in
the City of Philadelphia. If done at a neigh-
borhood scale it would cut heat-related
illness and reduce premature deaths by 403
residents, including 244 in areas of lower
socioeconomic status (95% confidence).
The study conclusion is that urban greening
programs can be a means to improve public
health, decrease health inequalities, and
promote environmental justice. To quickly
see canopy cover rates and socio-eco-
nomic status in your community, visit i-Tree
Landscape and enter your zip code or
community name, or better yet, complete
your own Urban Tree Canopy Assessment.
Recommended Reading
From envirobites.org comes this excellent
summary by Jenna Zuckswert of an inter-
esting new study, Unequal Access to Urban
Tree Benefits in the Bronx. Drs. Charity
Nyelele and Charles Kroll of SUNY College
of Environmental Science and Forestry
conducted the study using i-Tree tools.
Which NYC urban green spaces
support more bird species and
why? See video and eBird article
about this fascinating research from
the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
How should we measure the DBH
of multi-stemmed trees? Read the
research-based recommendations
of Yasha Magarik, Lara A. Roman,
and Jason G. Henning here.
