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Commission discusses tree canopy inventory, looks to ArcGIS and grant options
Summary
A mayoral heritage-tree committee update proposed using ArcGIS-based tree-inventory software, an estimated $10,000–$12,000 initial cost, and pursuing grants such as Texas Parks and Wildlife for planning support.
The Parks and Recreation Commission received an update from its Heritage Tree / mayoral committee on plans to create a city tree inventory and to pursue grants for a Brook Falls Park tree blueprint.
Committee members said they have met several times, attended an urban-tree conference and are developing a relationship with a local group identified as Bear Branches Alliance. The committee recommends using an ArcGIS-based inventory tool that can record species, circumference and geolocation and can integrate with city permit and planning systems.
Why it matters: a structured, mapped tree inventory is a foundational tool for managing canopy, applying for grants and incorporating tree data into planning and zoning decisions. The committee said using ArcGIS would make grant applications simpler because municipal GIS data is shared among regional agencies.
Key details discussed: - Software: ArcGIS (municipal GIS) and a data-entry vendor (referred to as Crossroads) were evaluated; ArcGIS offers a tree-inventory app as a component of its platform. - Cost estimate: committee members estimated an initial cost of about $10,000–$12,000 to cover data entry and license costs (committee noted ArcGIS has tiered licenses, and volunteer data-collection accounts use lower-cost licenses). - Data & maintenance: Crossroads was presented as a vendor that could perform data entry and host the inventory initially because current city staff capacity is limited; long-term maintenance responsibilities would be determined later.
Commissioners asked whether the inventory would record tree health; committee members said the inventory app records measurements and species but that formal tree-health assessments would come from committee training, partnerships with groups such as San Antonio’s urban forestry staff, and volunteer education.
No formal vote was taken; the item was presented as an update and for future funding consideration.
