Description
Urban tree canopies help cool the urban environment while providing an important habitat for a wide range of species. Trees also help to purify air and water systems and absorb carbon dioxide.
This strategy focuses on maintaining Westminster’s Tree City USA status by identifying and mitigating threats to Westminster’s urban tree canopy and promoting tree sales and plantings through education and incentives.
Components
- Maintain Tree City USA status.
- Use remote sensing to conduct a tree canopy study for the city and establish a quantitative baseline for ensuring sufficient tree canopy to meet air quality, urban heat island and stormwater management goals.
- Identify and inventory threats to the urban tree canopy (e.g., climate change, pests).
- Develop a plan to mitigate potential threats, (e.g., canopy diversification, removal of infected or infested species, Integrated Pest Management).
- Continue utilizing tree canopy funds to invest in the urban forest, especially along pedestrian corridors, waterways and trails.
- Promote the ReLeaf Westy Tree sale and rebate program to increase the number of trees planted on private property.
- Increase education for property owners about proper tree care techniques.
- Enhance tree canopy goals through new development, including preservation of existing trees and vegetation, installation of new trees, including measures to promote tree health and mitigation for removed trees.