Understanding and Assessing Impacts
Trees are a simple and effective means of combating many of the hazards that are created or exacerbated by climate change. Most commonly, they are cited as an effective means of battling the urban heat island effect, but tree also provide benefits towards reducing air pollution and stormwater discharge as well as increasing property values and improving mental health. Tree mortality rates are, unfortunately, increasing over time as pests and diseases such as the emerald ash borer, combined with changing weather patterns due to climate change, are damaging the urban canopy. The rapid population growth in Peel Region, and its primarily suburban development pattern, further complicate the process of tree planting as development pressures threaten historic greenspaces that sheltered much of the urban canopy. Many of the low canopy areas in the Region are also home to recent immigrants, recent refugees, and citizens that are socially and economically vulnerable. Additionally, municipal governments have many important matters to spend their limited funds on and, as a result, tree planting programs often operate on rather limited budgets. This adds extra pressure to ensure that what tree planting programs do exist are managed effectively and deliver the most benefits for the resources invested in them. It is this complicated environment that gave rise to the demand for a program that allows the regional government to make the best decisions possible regarding tree planting.