Loudoun Initiating a Tree Canopy StudyIn 2024, the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services will initiate a county-wide tree canopy study. This will be the first such study in Loudoun. The tree canopy is a vital asset that provides a multitude of benefits: stormwater runoff reduction, improved air quality, decreased carbon footprint, enhanced quality of life, savings on energy bills, and habitat for wildlife. All of this is particularly important as climate change becomes more intense. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a mature tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. In addition, a tree will produce approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. One acre of forest, depending upon the age and types of trees, can absorb 4.5 to 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide and produce four tons of oxygen. The capture is enough to offset the annual carbon emissions produced by driving your car 26,000 miles. In addition, research shows that these green assets improve social cohesion, reduce crime, and raise property values. A robust tree cover is crucial to building a livable and prosperous Loudoun County and contributing to the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The Department will be soliciting proposals from consultants in the next several months with the objective of completing the study by July 1, 2024. Tree canopy studies are typically performed using satellite imagery, either collected specifically for an area, or extracted from existing data sets. The study will provide the foundation for understanding the quantity, distribution, and configuration of tree canopy within Loudoun County. Future tree canopy assessments should be planned to assess changes to the tree canopy. Such assessments can provide crucial information on how effective tree planting and preservation efforts are, in addition to understanding how factors such as development and climate change are impacting the tree canopy. Many jurisdictions conduct such studies every 5 years. The true value of Loudoun’s 2024 study will be realized when the data can used be to drive and specify goals to conserve existing tree canopy in addition to establishing new tree canopy. Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains will keep our readers informed about the planning process, and how you can be involved. LPM |
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.