Urban Tree Canopy (UTC), the leaves and branches of trees, is a result of the trees we live with, the trees that grace our towns, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and roadsides.
UTC mitigates stormwater runoff by capturing rain, reduces temperatures, and offers health benefits. Since our founding, CI has engaged in forestry to improving watershed health. Our “Portrait of a River” ecological baseline study (1993) concluded that expanding forested riparian buffers is essential to protect the Cacapon River from pollution caused by development. Today, CI is urban forestry lead for the WV Chesapeake Bay Program and a member of the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Forestry Workgroup.
We work on local and regional efforts to enhance and protect UTC by conducting land cover studies, investigating ordinances, and making recommendation to watershed groups, neighborhoods, and municipal leaders.
