The Need for Trees in Indianapolis
Indianapolis currently faces significant challenges to its environment
and its residents’ quality of life.
- Indianapolis ranks 8th worst in the
country for fine particulate matter pollution. (Indianapolis Star)
- American Forests, a national
non-profit leader in urban forestry issues, recommends a 45% average
canopy cover for urban residential areas. Recent IUPUI research
puts Indianapolis at 24% tree cover. Center Township’s tree canopy is
15% , while American Forests recommends a 25% tree cover for an urban
core.
- IUPUI research demonstrates a 25%
loss of tree cover in Marion County between 1962 and 1993 and a 37% loss
of wooded lands from 1980 to 2000, the equivalent of 20 square miles of
woodland.
- The emerald ash borers are bearing
down on Marion County. These pests have decimated ash trees by the
millions in Michigan and Northern Indiana. Ash trees may represent as
much as 8-14% of our county’s trees, according to Indy Parks.
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- The IUPUI/Center for Urban Policy and
the Environment forecasts that growth in Central Indiana over the next
40 years will outpace development since Indianapolis was founded. In
2000, 1076 square miles of land were urbanized. By 2040, and additional
1,167 square miles will be developed.
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Combined sewers are a
challenge to our local streams and White River, as is stormwater runoff,
costing the city over a billion dollars to update the combined sewer system.
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Socioeconomic pressures are
significant. Indianapolis, like any major American city, faces public safety
challenges, and the need for neighborhood reinvestment and comprehensive
community development.
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