What if every city—no matter its size or resources—could instantly visualize the size and history of its urban forest? Now, it can.

For the first time ever, communities across the U.S. have access to utilizing high-resolution aerial imagery, and local, regional and nationwide urban tree canopy data—thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the Arbor Day Foundation, and PlanIT Geo. This collaboration has launched the National Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and TreeCanopy.US, a transformative platform that integrates GIS data, an interactive map viewer, and a planning tool to support equitable, data-driven urban forestry efforts.

The tool empowers all communities—from small towns to major metros—to better understand and manage their urban forests, giving users the ability to explore land cover statistics, development trends, and individual tree canopies—all summarized at the census block group level. Looking ahead, expanded features, data updates, and resources will launch in 2025, including a downloadable National Baseline Canopy Assessment Report offering a comprehensive snapshot of urban tree canopy across the U.S.

This webinar will include a live demonstration of the platform’s capabilities, showing how urban foresters, planners, and community leaders can:

Use GIS-based data to assess and monitor their urban forest and track tree canopy gains and losses over time.

Identify priority planting areas based on canopy and environmental equity.

Visualize canopy coverage and development pressures at both local and regional scales.

Inform urban forestry strategies and policy decisions with real-time, accessible insights.

Join UCFS and PlanIT Geo for this must-attend session - this is your chance to gain access to a game-changing tool and join the national movement to build healthier and greener cities. Don’t miss out on shaping the future of urban forestry with the local urban tree canopy data leading the way. Access the platform and explore its capabilities at: https://treesatwork.org/

Learning Objectives

At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Understand how to access and interpret GIS-based urban tree canopy data at local and regional scales using TreeCanopy.US.
2. Learn how to use the interactive viewer and planning tool to track canopy changes, assess tree loss, and identify high-priority areas for reforestation.
3. Gain insights into how nationwide, standardized tree canopy data can support urban forestry planning, equity initiatives, and climate resilience strategies.