"In a city where summer heat outpaces shade, Pittsburg is taking steps to expand its urban tree canopy to ensure that every neighborhood, especially those impacted by rising temperatures and air quality issues, benefit from more trees. Thanks to a $2 million federal grant awarded by the U.S Department of Agriculture's Forest Services in February 2024, Pittsburg has embarked on its first-ever long-term Urban Forest Management Plan to bring more trees, cleaner air, and help improve the quality of life of its more than 75,000 residents."
"An analysis by PlanIT Geo, an urban forestry software development and consulting firm, found that 6% of Pittsburg's land area is covered by trees, which is less than half of the average compared to other cities that typically have around 14% to 15%. Fremont, for instance, boasts a 14.4% canopy cover in urban areas, while Pleasanton sits at 25.3%. According to the nonprofit American Forests, Pittsburg's tree equity score lags behind its neighbors in Contra Costa County."
Pittsburg faces summer heat and limited shade and has launched its first long-term Urban Forest Management Plan after receiving a $2 million USDA Forest Service grant in February 2024. The grant is part of a $1.5 billion Inflation Reduction Act program to support urban tree planting, prioritizing disadvantaged communities. The plan includes a canopy assessment and identification of planting sites. An analysis by PlanIT Geo found that only 6% of Pittsburg's land area is tree-covered, well below the typical 14–15% in other cities. The nonprofit American Forests gives Pittsburg a tree equity score of 67, among the lowest in Contra Costa County.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]