Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan December 2015 Progress Report

Progress Report: December 2015

ITree Eco Assessment Results In 2015, Up With Trees contracted with Davey Resource Group (DRG) to collect field data and perform an analysis of the ecosystem services and benefits of trees in incorporated municipal areas in Tulsa County.

Based on this sample it is estimated that:

ITre Eco Project Area & Plot Locations

10,364,000 trees exist across the project area which covers 350 square miles, (224,220 acres) of urban areas in Tulsa County.

Tulsa County’s Tree canopy is estimated to cover approximately 18% of the land area.

Annually, trees provide $29.9 million in benefits to the communities in the Tulsa County.

The trees intercept a net 2,660 tons of air pollution annually, valued at $8.55 million.

Tons of Air Pollution Removed Annually and Monetary Value

Plots Data Was Gathered Tulsa County Project Boundary

Energy-related avoided carbon emissions are valued at $2.01 million annually.

The tree population reduces stormwater runoff by 451,658,805 gallons per year, valued at $4.02 million.

Approximately 142,000 tons of oxygen are produced annually by this resource.

The structural value of the trees, which is based on the replacement value of each tree at its present size and condition, equates to $7.29 billion.

To date, these urban trees have sequestered over 1.5 million tons of carbon valued at $108 million and these trees continue to sequester 72,400 tons each year, valued at $5.16 million.

Percent of Trees by Land Use

GATHERING THE DATA Stakeholder Interviews

In-person stakeholder interviews were conducted December 8-11 to collect information and perspectives from key stakeholders involved in Tulsa’s Urban Forest. Each stakeholder was asked a series of eight questions, and additional information was recorded as needed.

The following are highlights from these interviews, that represents the opinions and perspectives of stakeholders heard in the interviews.

Challenges in managing the urban forest include: No dedicated tree maintenance fund for street trees Park tree maintenance funding inadequate Less than optimal species diversity (e.g., lots of Bradford pear and Urbanite ash) Need species that are more drought tolerant and resistant to failure in ice storms Inventories are incomplete and no single inventory of all Public trees exists Goals and Objectives to include in the plan: Revise planting palette and republish PSO Tree Tips Booklet, but as an app Explore funding sources for street tree maintenance Economic incentives for developers to preserve trees Address canopy inequality by neighborhood Showcase pilot Low Impact Development (LID) projects Opportunities and Strengths in the Community: Generous private donors Cultural identity linked to “Green Country” “Tulsans are protective of trees” Numerous INCOG maps and data layers readily available

GATHERING THE DATA

Public Survey Results Thus Far* Total Surveys: 500

What we’ve heard from you

Over the past three months, Up With Trees has been sending out surveys to the Tulsa public asking questions regarding Tulsa's trees. We have had great response from these surveys, and the results are shown below.

*We are still accepting surveys. To tell us what you think of Tulsa’s trees visit www.upwithtrees.org Mark the challenges you face with trees in your neighborhood.

Maintaining the Trees by Weeding & Mulching Watering the Trees

Pruning the Trees Picking up Trash in the Tree Pits Prompt Tree Removal 0%

10%

What does Tulsa’s canopy need most?

Community Education About Trees Protect the Trees for Future Generations

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Where would you want trees planted?

Shopping Centers Neighborhoods

More Trees

Schools Hillsides Parks & Cemeteries Lining

Better Maintenance

River & Other Water Sources

Fewer Trees

Homes

Main City Streets

GATHERING THE DATA Urban Tree Canopy Assessment

The aim of the Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessment is to help decision makers understand their urban forest resources, particularly the amount of tree canopy that currently exists and the amount that could exist. The UTC assessments will provide Tulsa’s urban resource managers with vital information to begin the goal setting and planning processes.

To attain the UTC assessment, Davey Resource Group will complete a full land cover extraction.

Through obtaining aerial digital imagery acquired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the most up-to-date land cover extraction will be made available. This will provide a valuable tree canopy cover data layer that spatially represents where tree canopy exists, and can provide a road map for available and most desirable planting spaces. The priority planting locations can be based on simply increasing canopy in areas with less cover, or it can be prioritized based on land use, council districts, human health data, stormwater demands, or any other GIS based data that is available.

NEXT STEPS December: Stakeholder Interviews

January: Begin Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and Report

April: Land cover mapping: Order 2015 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery for the Urban Tree Canopy assessment Hit goal of 2,000 public survey responses

June: Advisory Council meeting (community meeting #1)

July: City-Wide meeting (community meeting #2-late July)

August: Advisory Council Presentation/Final presentation (community meeting #3)

October/November Final Draft of Urban Forest Master Plan

Phase I of the Master Plan Goal Reached: $100,000 Many thanks to our generous donors for funding Phase I of the Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan.

Margery Mayo Bird Foundation $25,000 H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Foundation $15,000 Proceeds from the Up With Trees Green Leaf Gala $60,000

Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan Phase I funded: The completion of the ITree Eco Assessment, which is an expansive snapshot that looks at composition, environmental beneďŹ ts (storm-water interception, air pollutants removed, carbon sequestration, energy conservation) and potential impact of pests and diseases on the existing urban forest.

Hosting a Symposium to engage stakeholders in a conversation about what Tulsa will be and how the landscape of Tulsa will look in the coming decades.

Interviews with stakeholders to assess their views on the current status of the community forest, related policies and the future development of the Urban Forest Master Plan.

WORKING TO FUND THE PLAN - Phase 2 Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan Phase 2 will fund: The Urban Tree Canopy Assessment, which is a full land cover extraction that maps tree canopy and identiďŹ es where changes have occurred over time. This will also identify planting opportunities by zoning and political district, and include the development of a canopy goal attainment plan.

Need $150,000

Community outreach through public forums, education, and marketing the Urban Forest Master Plan once completed to the public.

How can you help?

Visit www.upwithtrees.org and Donate today!

$50,000 Margery Mayo Bird Foundation