Page 55 - Mapping the Nation: Taking Climate Action

be spread from tree to tree underground. The emerald ash borer is a nonnative pest that hasn't hit yet, but Austin is getting ready because once it's present, it typically wipes out the entire ash tree population. "We don't yet know the impact climate change will have on pests like borers or the fungus-causing oak wilt, but we can expect things to get worse with a rise in temperature, which increases the stress on trees," Halter said. "We have tree doctors that go out and give shots to the trees for things like oak wilt, but it's really tough for trees to respond and survive if they're not getting enough water to begin with." Trees, Equity, and Social Justice According to Austin's climate plan, the city "recognizes historical and structural disparities and a need for alleviation of these wrongs by critically transforming its institutions and creating a culture of equity." The city gives away free trees every year, but it has only recently examined—from an equity perspective—where those trees have been planted. "We have to look at who has the means to drive across town on a Saturday to pick up trees," Halter said. So trees are now offered at giveaway events located in previously underserved neighborhoods. "With canopy mapping, we can assess it and show people, through the data, what that looks like. And the Community Tree Priority Map—with scoring metrics to show areas of higher need—focuses our grant funding and a lot of tree planting." To help with this work and greater community outreach, the city has established the Youth Forest Council. This map includes tree planting in Austin since 2015. Points show where trees were delivered, symbolized by priority levels. The pink dots are trees planted in the highest-priority areas. "We offer paid internships, which provide our youth with a pathway to green careers," Halter said. The students in the council work alongside professionals in Austin's urban forestry program, gaining practical knowledge about natural and environmental sciences and using GIS for urban forestry. Ultimately, the Youth Forest Council helped shape the Community Tree Priority Map, providing valuable input about trees, equity, and health. Halter hopes that the students start to see how GIS helps people understand complex relationships. "Of course, we know that climate solutions have the potential to improve the quality of life for all people," Halter says. "But we also know that climate change impacts don't really affect everyone equally. And that is at the heart of our plan. We are preserving existing trees and planting new trees, where trees are most needed." 54 Extreme Heat