Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry uses data to determine priority service areas for focusing tree planting, maintenance, education, and outreach resources. Canopy levels and income are considered together to determine areas where resources have the potential to provide the most benefit. Urban Forestry staff and community partners use this information to guide efforts to ensure that the services provided by urban canopy – safer streets, reduced air pollution, cooler summer temperatures, and improved health outcomes (to name a few) – are accessible to all Portlanders, especially the most vulnerable communities.
Neighborhoods are assigned a priority of 1-3, with 1 being highest. Data are updated on a 3-year cycle and serve as an extension of the Citywide Tree Planting Strategy, which identifies barriers, opportunities, and provides overall guidance for growing a more equitable urban forest. This approach supports the canopy goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan and Portland’s Climate Action Plan by using data to determine where canopy levels are lowest and where resources for tree planting are needed the most to address existing inequities in urban canopy. For more information, contact: trees@portlandoregon.gov.