Search Site   
Current News Stories
Ohio men delve into history of farm implements in Hamilton
Ice cream, sales and farming drive Tyler McCann
City leaders meet to share priorities for Illinois River
Middle Tennessee farm first to grow pineapples in state
MIFarmLink connects Michigan farmland owners with potential buyers
Heading into COP30 summit, US set to showcase sustainable advances
Size of United States corn and soybean crops debated
Michigan farm tractor accidents reminders that safety is important
Farmers’ Almanac to cease publication with 2026 issue
Coalition remains on front lines in fight against soybean cyst nematode
September milk production up; government shutdown ends
   
News Articles
Search News  
   
American Forests says Detroit could use 1.2 million more trees
 
DETROIT (AP) – The city of Detroit could use more trees – about 1.2 million more, according to American Forests.
The Washington-based, nonprofit conservation organization has published Tree Equity scores for 150,000 neighborhoods in 486 urbanized areas.
Each score is based on how much tree canopy and surface temperatures align with the number of people living in a given area or neighborhood, income, employment, race, age and health factors. The scores indicate whether there are enough trees for everyone living in those areas to experience the health, economic and climate benefits that trees provide.
Low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods have fewer trees than wealthier, mostly white areas, according to Chris David, American Forests geographic information system and data science vice president.
The premise of tree equity “helps cities identify where to target places that have been historically ignored,” David said. “Where the places are that lack trees historically have underserved people in poverty, people of color.”
Trees improve the quality of life in neighborhoods by providing shade that reducing heat-related health issues. They also improve air quality by helping to reduce air pollution and create jobs involved in the care of trees, the nonprofit said.
Data from the U.S. Census, USDA and U.S. Geological Survey was used to help calculate the scores. A score of 100 represents Tree Equity. Detroit’s score is 80. The Phoenix area has a score of 80 and Rhode Island’s Tree Equity is 73. Seattle has a score of 90. The scores can be used determine how many trees need to be planted in communities and funding needed to ensure their long-term care.
7/2/2021