On Thursday, June 28, we hosted “Exploring Urban Forest Modeling and Prioritization Tools,” a webinar that provided an overview of some of the research we’ve recently completed on using heat maps to depict ideal planting locations based on various customizable factors. Funded by a USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant, the resulting Urban Forest Modeling and Prioritization Toolkit enables users to experiment with creating heat maps based on criteria such as population density, urban heat island temperatures, and health data. The toolkit also includes features to digitally “plant” trees and project the long-term ecosystem and financial impacts of those trees.

A recording of the webinar is available below, I’ve also posted the recording on YouTube and the slides are available on SlideShare. If you have any questions about the urban forestry modeling project, please contact me at dboyer@azavea.com or visit our forestry webpage.

The development of the Urban Forest Modeling and Prioritization Toolkit was funded by a Small Business Innovation Research grant (2011-33610-30511) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.