PlanIT Geo™

Revolutionizing Urban Forest Management: Basalt's Success with TreePlotter™ INVENTORY--As an arborist in a small mountain town, managing 3,000 public trees is no small feat. But Chris Beiser, Town Arborist of Basalt, Colorado, has found a game-changing solution in TreePlotter™ INVENTORY. Here's how this innovative software is transforming Basalt's community forest management: 1. Proactive EAB Management: With 12% of Basalt's canopy being ash trees, TreePlotter helps track treatments and plan strategic removals. 2. Streamlined Work Orders: Contractors can access the inventory, making pruning and maintenance more efficient. 3. Enhanced Communication: From sharing statistics with the Town Council to enabling self-guided arboretum tours for visitors, TreePlotter boosts engagement. 4. QR Code Integration: Newly planted trees are tagged with QR codes, allowing residents to instantly access tree information. TreePlotter is more than just software - it's a tool for education, planning, and community involvement. It's helping Basalt build a resilient and diverse urban forest for generations to come. Read the full case study here: https://bit.ly/3YIsL8R #UrbanForestry #SmartCities #Sustainability #TreeManagement

🌍✨ Discover how Google is harnessing AI to make cities more sustainable! From tackling urban heat islands to optimizing traffic flow, their innovative initiatives are paving the way for a greener future. Key highlights include: -Urban Heat Resilience: Using AI to identify and cool heat-absorbing areas. -Cool Roofs: Promoting reflective roofs to reduce heat in communities. -Traffic Optimization: Reducing emissions through smarter traffic signals. With projects like FireSat for early wildfire detection and real-time information, Google is committed to combating climate change and enhancing urban living. Explore all 8 ways Google is making a difference! 🌳🚦https://bit.ly/3C5nwHH #Sustainability #AI #UrbanInnovation #ClimateAction

Urban Forests: More Than Just Trees, They're a Strategy for Sustainable Cities Did you know that monitoring urban tree canopy every two years can revolutionize city planning and environmental justice? Here's why it matters: • Improves air quality and biodiversity • Enhances community well-being • Addresses gaps in underserved neighborhoods • Aligns urban forestry with real-time needs Cities like Charlotte and Garland are leading the way, using innovative tools like TreePlotter CANOPY to make data-driven decisions. They're not just growing trees; they're cultivating healthier, more equitable communities. The future of urban planning is green, and it's powered by smart data analysis. Are you ready to see your city transform? Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/4fsQ3p7 #UrbanForestry #SustainableCities #EnvironmentalJustice #SmartCityPlanning

Why is LA Progressive: Smart Content for Smart People saying that LA's Urban Forest is "Second Rate"? Los Angeles, a city known for its sprawling urban landscape, surprisingly struggles with maintaining a robust urban forest. LA Progressive shared the reasons behind this, which are multifaceted: -Historical Neglect: For decades, the city has prioritized development over green spaces, leading to a significant reduction in tree cover. This has left many neighborhoods, especially those in underserved areas, with inadequate shade and greenery. -Inequitable Distribution: There is a stark disparity in tree canopy coverage across different neighborhoods. Wealthier areas tend to have more trees, while lower-income communities suffer from a lack of green infrastructure. -Climate Challenges: LA's climate poses unique challenges to tree growth and maintenance. Drought conditions and high temperatures make it difficult for trees to thrive without substantial investment in water resources and care. -Policy and Budget Constraints: Insufficient funding and lack of comprehensive urban forestry policies have hindered efforts to expand and maintain the urban forest. This includes inadequate investment in planting new trees and maintaining existing ones. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from city officials, community organizations, and residents to prioritize green spaces as essential infrastructure. By doing so, LA can enhance its urban forest, providing environmental benefits and improving quality of life for all its residents. Learn More here: https://bit.ly/4frIChY #UrbanForestry #LosAngeles #Sustainability #GreenSpaces #EnvironmentalJustice

We are excited to sponsor, present, and exhibit at the California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) Annual Conference, which will be hosted in San Luis Obispo this year and focused on Increasing Canopy Cover: the challenges and opportunities. Hope to see you there, Nov. 13-14, 2024 https://lnkd.in/gtk4fkNa Ian Hanou Russell Clark Russell Warnock

Ian Hanou and Evan Sims kicked off our TreePlotter™ Software Suite partnership with Juan Manuel Borrajo Millán, and Elixabete Lobo Huici at the Dasotec office in Madrid before the UTD5 Conference along with long-time UK partner Russell Horsey MICFor, Urban Forester.. We met one year ago at the World Forum on Urban Forestry and have been collaborating since. It’s so important to understand how we can not only translate TreePlotter into Spanish but also develop the tools in ways that will meet the needs of cities in Spain. Local partners are critical to get it right (plus asking a lot of questions and then listening!). We then hosted a workshop at the Forestry School on the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid campus. Attendees from 10 different countries learned about how to use TreePlotter Software, remote sensing and geospatial data, and community engagement to improve management of urban and community forestry. Finally after some snacks and drinks, we used TreePlotter to assess trees outdoors, take photos, and discuss data collection practices.

Surprising Impact of Streetlights on Urban Ecosystems - A fascinating study published in Frontiers in Plant Science reveals an unexpected consequence of urban lighting on our green spaces. Here's what researchers discovered: • Streetlights left on all night cause tree leaves to become tougher, making them inedible for insects. • In brightly lit areas, leaves showed no signs of insect feeding. • This phenomenon was observed in two common street tree species in Beijing: Japanese pagoda and green ash. Dr. Shuang Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences notes, "Leaves that are free of insect damage may bring comfort to people, but not insects. Herbivory is a natural ecological process that maintains the biodiversity of insects." Key implications: • Reduced insect herbivory could disrupt food chains, affecting birds and other wildlife. • This may contribute to the global decline in insect populations. • Urban lighting strategies may need reassessment to balance human needs with ecosystem health. As we design smarter cities, how can we mitigate the unintended consequences of artificial lighting on urban biodiversity? Read More Here: https://bit.ly/4eZcPou #UrbanEcology #Biodiversity #SustainableCities #InsectConservation

The USDA Forest Service is actively nurturing the next generation of forest scientists through its Research Participation Program. This initiative, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), provides hands-on research opportunities for students and recent graduates across various disciplines related to forestry and natural resource management. The program aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical experience, offering participants the chance to work alongside seasoned Forest Service scientists on real-world projects. As Dr. Monica Lear, Deputy Chief of Research and Development, emphasizes, "The Research Participation Program is an excellent opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience working with Forest Service scientists and to contribute to important research that helps inform natural resource management decisions." This program not only benefits the participants by enhancing their skills and career prospects but also contributes to the Forest Service's mission of advancing scientific knowledge in forest management and conservation. https://bit.ly/3YgsoBf

Tacoma's Tree Canopy: A Climate Solution in Action! In the face of climate change, Tacoma is stepping up its game by utilizing TreePlotter™ Software Suite to assess and expand its urban tree canopy. Currently, only 20% of the city is covered by trees, making it the lowest among Puget Sound cities. With a goal to reach 30% canopy by 2030, Tacoma is implementing new ordinances to protect significant trees and fund urban forestry programs. By leveraging technology like TreePlotter, the city can effectively identify areas in need of more greenery, especially in historically marginalized neighborhoods suffering from the urban heat island effect. As they work towards a cooler, greener Tacoma, it's clear that expanding tree canopy is not just an environmental issue—it's a matter of equity and community health. Let's support these initiatives for a sustainable future! Read more about Tacoma's efforts and the importance of urban trees here: https://bit.ly/4eW6k61  Explore the Tacoma TreePlotter App here: https://bit.ly/3C7re3k The Urbanist #TreeCanopy #ClimateAction #Tacoma #UrbanForestry

Today, at the ISA Rocky Mountain Chapter conference Beth Corrigan was awarded the President’s award for all her work and dedication to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ISA 🎉🎉🎉