A team of researchers is asking for data from cities and towns across Indiana to assemble the first state-wide map of urban forests and green spaces.
Researchers from Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, the Davey Resource Group and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Community and Urban Forestry Program are asking municipalities across the state to share their urban forestry data to build the publicly available online map and data resource focused on urban green infrastructure.
“Our goal is lofty, because, really, there isn’t anybody trying to do a statewide urban forest map,” said Sarah Mincey, clinical associate professor at IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. “The motivation for the whole project is the fact that you can’t manage any kind of natural resource unless you know what you have.”
Urban forests are made up of all the trees and associated vegetation within the bounds of a town or city. That means thousands, if not millions, of Hoosiers walk or drive within urban forests without knowing.
Additional coverage by the Vincennes Sun-Commercial
