What other piece of infrastructure can single-handedly reduce pollution, prevent flooding, provide food and shelter for wildlife, reduce crime, lower energy bills, improve physical and mental health, AND be beautiful to boot?
Louisville’s tree canopy provides its residents with almost $330M in benefits every year, and an additional $230M in carbon storage over the course of the lifetime of the trees.
Studies show that trees create stronger, safer and healthier communities with successful business districts and higher property values.
Louisville’s 2015 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment documented an alarming loss of trees throughout the city.
The study breaks down percentage of canopy cover neighborhood by neighborhood, helping us determine where trees are most needed. Some communities in Louisville benefit from the tree canopy more than others. Many neighborhoods have lower-than-average canopy cover and are more likely to experience poorer air quality, higher summer temperatures and other stressors.
Louisville is the fastest warming city in America, and these high temps have a major impact on the health and livability of our community. Planting trees is crucial to cooling our city.
