Urban forestry programs often operate on tight budgets and urban forest managers must continually advocate for
funding from internal and external sources. Having a supportive mayor, city council member, division supervisor, or
any other role with sway over budgets and priorities, can be the difference-maker in getting the resources you need
to maintain and expand a healthy urban tree canopy.
So, how
do you
turn those in charge into tree supporters? Reenforce your tree advocacy with data that brings a
measurable context to the conversation. Urban tree canopy data and tree inventory statistics help make the value
and risks of urban forestry real and relatable.
Nothing backs up urban forestry talking points quite like a map of
tree canopy data. Showing a council member an interactive map of
red canopy losses
in their district is both compelling and easy to
understand.
When Lexington, Kentucky completed an urban tree canopy
assessment in 2022, they had a strategy to help the results resonate
with city council. They asked PlanIT Geo™ to develop report cards for
all 12 council districts. The report cards scored 5 different canopy
criteria and provided an overall letter grade. Urban forestry staff found
that
sharing a report with a giant D for a council member's district
was very effective for getting them interested and motivated in urban
forestry efforts.
TELL A STORY WITH CANOPY DATA
"It helped us talk to council members. They can have friendly competitions, and it makes it easy for them to
talk to constituents. It's been great to have these numbers and graphics, to show them, LOOK, your district
really
needs tree canopy, and here is where and why."
-Heather Wilson, Senior Program Manager Urban Forestry, City of Lexington
Turning Government
Into Tree Supporters
Having a tree advocate among government decision-makers can be
a game changer for a public urban forestry program.
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