COLUMBUS – Friday is the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day and efforts to boost tree canopy in communities in Columbus, and throughout Ohio, are accelerating.
More than 80% of Ohioans live in urban areas and experts say the trees are a vital element of livable communities.
“They actually reduce temperatures on high heat days which significantly impacts under-resourced urban neighborhoods,” says Elizabeth Grace, director of urban fundraising for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. “They reduce stress and improve mental health. They also actually lessen violence in communities. And it’s been shown in recent studies that more trees raise the IQ of children.”
The conservancy is working with local partners to bring the city’s tree canopy up from 18 percent to 30 percent coverage.
The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan has set a goal of nearly doubling the tree canopy in the city, from the current level of 22% to 40% by 2050. The organization estimates this would require planting approximately 32,400 trees.