EQUITY CAN START WITH A TREE
Growing Tree Shade In The Sacramento Region
Sacramento is known as the City of Trees and is recognized for having a robust urban forest. In fact, a large portion of the Sacramento region's urban forest is planted by community members. However, this tremendous resource is not shared equally throughout the region as the map you are seeing now shows. Neighborhoods throughout Sacramento have extreme variations in canopy (shade) cover, ranging from more than 40% to 1% of total coverage.
Low tree canopy has been shown to contribute to hotter temperatures in extreme heat events, lower air quality, more stormwater runoff, and many other indirect impacts on the community. In 2020, the Sacramento Tree Foundation launched a project to better understand tree canopy cover and community impacts. With LIDAR data provided by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and funding from CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program CCI Grants, we were able to create an interactive tree canopy map. This map doesn’t only provide an idea of tree canopy but is layered with other data sets, including: Census, Income, Health, and Temperature Data. To interact and explore the map more, see below or go to the Sacramento Tree Foundation Tree Canopy Map.
The canopy cover map reveals that the distribution of trees doesn't impact all Sacramentans equally. The canopy cover map shows a greater lack of trees in neighborhoods that are poorer and more racially diverse. This means that communities that may already be facing other public health impacts are worsened by the lack of trees. The map you are viewing now shows the impact of heat island effect in relation to tree canopy. It is a public health necessity to plant and care for trees in these under-canopied neighborhoods with the climate crises at hand.
The good news is that we as a city, town, region, and community can take effective and immediate action for the future by planting trees today. Just a 10% increase in shade can have a meaningful impact on heat island impact as well as many other community health benefits.
Explore the tree canopy map and imagine where and how you can help create tree canopy.
To get involved and help create a more loveable and livable community find out how you can get a free tree for home , volunteer or mobilize a tree planting in your community today!
