Using urban forest data to improve health and quality of life in the Chicago Region. ChicagoRTI.org

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1 Using urban forest data to improve health and quality of life in the Chicago Region ChicagoRTI.org

2 Chicago Region Trees Initiative Why CRTI? ChicagoRTI.org To preserve, protect and enhance our urban forest The Chicago region s forest resulting provides improved $51.2 billion in benefits. quality of life. Our trees provide our quality of life!

3 Urban Trees and Forests of the Chicago Region Nowak et al., 2013

4 The Chicago Region Trees Initiative 8.4 million people 7 counties 284 municipalities ~75 park districts 157 million trees 30% invasive species 8% ash losses (13 million trees)

5 Step one: canopy cover Need: data at local scale LiDAR LiDAR Analysis Trees Vegetation Road/Rail Buildings Other Paved Surfaces Water Bare Dirt Chicago Region Trees Initiative

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7 CRTI Forest Canopy Summaries 284 Communities ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

8 Step two: tree species Tree Census Public Inventories Private inventories

9 Step three: Oak ecosystems

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11 Step four: capacity to care for trees

12 Step four: capacity to care for trees 2014 Priorities Focus Ash Removals 2016 Priorities?

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15 Budget Per Capita

16 Step five: Community priorities Vulnerable human populations

17 Step five: Community priorities Medicaid reimbursements

18 Step five: Community priorities Surface temperatures

19 Step six: Prioritize Data drives our work!

20 Step six: Prioritize

21 Step seven: Application Streets with trees in public rights-of-way experience lower crime rates. Apartments with low levels of vegetation experienced 48-58% more crime than those with higher levels of vegetation. Population: 23,153 32% under 18 years 9% over 65 years Median income $48,000 yr. 8% live below poverty level

22 Case study: Village of Dolton Community focus On average, trees can increase the value of a home by 3% and reduce the time a house spends on the market Public Works Department no forestry staff Funding for tree removals due to emerald ash borer Decision maker focus crime reduction No community stewardship group No community tree inventory No tree management plan No community tree preservation ordinance Population dropped by 9% since 2000

23 Case study: Village of Dolton th low levels of vegetation experienced 48-58% more crime than those with higher levels of vegetation. Land cover (A) and possible planting space (B)

24 Case study: Village of Dolton th low levels of vegetation experienced 48-58% more crime than those with higher levels of vegetation.

25 Resources Dolton: Community Tree Inventory On average, trees can increase the value of a home by 3% and reduce the time a house spends on the market Ball State University and DePaul University Research Virtual Inventory Student on the ground inventory

26 Community engagement Develop stewardship programs Community Tree Champions Openlands TreeKeepers ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

27 Urban Forestry Basic Training ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

28 Community Tree Network ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

29 Urban Forest Management Plan ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

30 Tree Preservation Ordinances Tiered Tree Ordinance Templates Bronze Silver Gold ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

31 Species Diversity ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

32 Case Study: Oak ecosystems Village of Riverwoods ChicagoRTI.org

33 Case Study: Village of Riverwoods No tree inventory ChicagoRTI.org

34 Case Study: Village of Riverwoods ChicagoRTI.org

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36 ChicagoRTI.org

37 Nursery support Expanded Diversity & Contract Growing Native Species Production ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative

38 Increased public/private partnerships

39 Results: Trees are the cornerstone of ecosystems and play a role in ensuring healthy lives and healthy communities.

40 Results: Increased species and age diversity

41 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers

42 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances

43 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances Expanded resources through trained stewardship

44 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances Expanded resources through trained stewardship Improved professionalism of staff

45 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances Expanded resources through trained stewardship Increased community interaction Improved professionalism of staff

46 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances Improved understanding or trees as infrastructure Increased community interaction Expanded resources through trained stewardship Improved professionalism of staff

47 Results: Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Increased public private partnerships Improved policies management plan and ordinances Improved understanding or trees as infrastructure Increased community interaction Expanded resources through trained stewardship Improved professionalism of staff

48 Results: Healthier oak ecosystems Increased public private partnerships Increased species and age diversity Informed and engaged decision makers Improved policies management plan and ordinances Improved understanding or trees as infrastructure Expanded resources through trained stewardship Increased community interaction Improved professionalism of staff

49 Results: Trees are the cornerstone of ecosystems and play a role in ensuring healthy lives and healthy communities.

50 It is a process! On average, trees can increase the value of a home by 3% and reduce the time a house spends on the market

51 Lydia Scott, Director ChicagoRTI.org Region Trees Initiative