Overview:

The Region of Peel applied a social equity lens to its tree planting strategy and in 2013, began to develop a tool to prioritize areas for tree planting. A multi-disciplinary project team identified eight overall benefits of tree cover and categorized them under three sustainability themes - environmental, economic, and social.

Outcomes:

This information was used to develop an interactive map which became the Region's Tree Planting Prioritization Tool. The tool identifies the areas in Peel that should be prioritized for tree planting by considering a broad range of management goals (e.g., increased habitat for wildlife) and social benefits (e.g., air quality improvement, improved physical and emotional health). This tool is being used by the Region, local municipalities, and the conservation authorities to decide where trees get planted and how funds are allocated.

Equity Implications: