Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forest Canopy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Canopy Bloomington outlines tree‑planting programs and warns of long‑term canopy loss
Summary
Canopy Bloomington presented to the council on Nov. 6, describing three program pillars (education, planting, community engagement), funding sources, and data showing canopy cover declines — the city’s canopy was 38% in 2018 with a forecasted 5% loss by 2048 without intervention.
Representatives of Canopy Bloomington presented the nonprofit’s work and partnership with the City of Bloomington at the Nov. 6 Common Council meeting, describing tree‑planting, youth workforce development and community engagement programs.
Philippa Guthrie, president of Canopy Bloomington, told the council the organization has planted 241 trees since its founding in 2021 and works with partners including the city, MCCSC, Habitat for Humanity and Bluestone (which provides in‑kind storage). Guthrie said tree canopy cover in Bloomington declined from 54% (1998) to 38% (2018) on measured areas and that attainable canopy is about 61%; she added a forecast that an additional 5% of canopy could be lost by 2048 if current trends continue.
Canopy staff described three pillars — education (courses and workshops), tree planting (priority zones driven by environmental and socioeconomic variables), and community engagement (neighborhood meetings and planting events). They also described a youth tree‑tenders program that hires high‑school students for part‑time summer work in city parks and offers professional development such as resume workshops.
Council members asked about funding and storm response. Guthrie said tree purchases are typically covered by grants and some private donations; Canopy has an Infrastructure Investment Act grant to support administrative and maintenance work but relies on a mix of grant funding for trees. City and Canopy staff said assessments are costly and that Emerald Ash Borer, storms and development have contributed to canopy loss.
No formal vote was required; the presentation concluded with council members thanking the group and encouraging public‑private partnership continuing.
