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Thurston County presents tree canopy assessment; identifies canopy extent, restoration potential and prairie encroachment
Summary
County staff presented an early draft of a rural Thurston County tree canopy assessment showing 61% canopy cover in the rural county, 68% of canopy on private land, and maps identifying areas for tree restoration versus prairie preservation; staff will complete the report and incorporate feedback.
County staff presented highlights of a draft tree canopy assessment at the April 16 Thurston County Planning Commission meeting, showing that roughly 61% of the rural county is covered with tree canopy and identifying areas appropriate for tree restoration, areas where tree canopy is encroaching on prairie soils, and locations with high restoration potential.
Claire, a county planner presenting the study, said the report covers tree canopy in the rural county only and is organized into 250-acre hexagons to make large-area comparisons rather than site-specific determinations. "The map we're looking at today depicts the overall tree canopy coverage throughout the entire rural county" and "the data itself is based off of lidar data that was collected by the University of Vermont with a reported 97% accuracy," Claire told the commission. (Transcript: 2636.85''' 2686.605)
Key findings presented - Extent and ownership: The presenter said the report maps over 250,000 acres of tree canopy in rural Thurston County and…
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