17 to finish, the workflow of Trees Atlanta tracks the steps that accomplish its mission. Fifty employees and dozens of volunteers use GIS to log activities. “That really expanded the possibilities for how we could record our planting locations, what kind of information we could record, and the quality of care we could give each tree,” said James Moy, data manager for Trees Atlanta. Moy has trained his coworkers to use a suite of GIS products in their daily workflows. Coordinators use GIS maps to plan and prioritize planting projects. Places where trees are needed are scouted, and plans are shared with government officials and the surrounding community to gather feedback and gain approvals. Mobile workers use GIS apps to navigate and track where they need to prune and water trees as well as where to treat trees that may be infested with invasive pests. GIS data collection tools provide mobile workers a place to track their hours, and GIS dashboards show them the acres of trees they have conserved. Coordinators use the same maps to select appropriate species that fit the conditions of specific areas. Volunteers are given access to the maps so they know where to plant trees, and the system tracks where and when to maintain the trees until they reach maturity. Understanding that Community Conservation Begins with Education To date, Trees Atlanta has planted and cared for more than 150,000 trees. To choose sites, the organization uses maps to understand the socioeconomic conditions in neighborhoods and engages with community members to gain their support. “When you get into community forestry, you realize that humans are a part of the ecosystem, especially in an urban place,” Moy said. “The most important thing for choosing tree planting sites is whether they are going to be well received by the people.” Starting in 2020, the organization analyzed the factors leading to tree survival. Staff found that when an active community group participated in planting, trees flourished. About one-third of the tree planting sites are requested by community members. Another third of the sites are agreed on by the nonprofit’s employees and volunteers, who return to communities year after year, answering the question, “Where are we going next?” The final third are selected by coordinators who use spatial analysis and satellite imagery in GIS to determine where trees are needed most. Choosing the Right Tree for the Right Place Looks nice and growing well aren’t the only criteria for determining which trees get planted. Of the 7,000 trees planted in 2022, 83 percent were native species. More native species have been planted because the public has a greater interest in supporting plants that occur naturally in the region and adapt well to changes in climate. Trees Atlanta brings in information from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which trees have the most Climate Action The Tree Benefit Dashboard displays Atlanta’s 244 neighborhoods as well as the benefits of their tree canopy, which includes decreases in carbon emissions, annual stormwater runoff, and air pollution.
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