Urban Tree Canopy is a Matter of Life and Death

Trees are natural air conditioning, air filters and sponges for carbon, and yet many neighborhoods severely lack trees and the life-saving health benefits they provide. The consequences are only becoming more dire: the U.S. currently experiences about 12,000 heat-related deaths each year, with that number expected to reach over 100,000 per year this century. American Forests developed Tree Equity Score as a one-of-a-kind, human-centered resource to drive local decision-making and implementation for expanding urban tree canopy. Our experts understand the human impacts of extreme heat, and we’re working to affect change through federal policymaking and on-the-ground work in communities nationwide.

Contact media@americanforests.org to inquire about specific landscapes or subject areas, and we’ll match you with the appropriate expert.

Lida Aljabar
Senior Director, Catalyst Initiative

Areas of expertise:

  • Tree Equity Catalyst Fund
  • Urban and community forestry
  • Climate equity

Chris David
Vice President, GIS and Data Science

Areas of expertise:

  • Tree Equity Score
  • Tree Equity Score Analyzer
  • Data science
  • Geographic information systems (GIS)

Maisie Hughes
Vice President, Urban Forestry

Areas of expertise:

  • Urban and community forestry
  • Tree Equity
  • Scientific research
  • Climate-smart restoration and reforestation

Benita Hussain
Tree Equity Lead

Areas of expertise:

  • Tree Equity Catalyst Fund
  • Urban and community forestry
  • Climate equity

Joel Pannell
Vice President, Urban Forest Policy

Areas of expertise:

  • Federal policy
  • Urban and community forestry
  • Tree Equity
  • Climate equity

Larry Wiseman
Senior Advisor, Urban Forestry

Areas of expertise:

  • Local urban forest policies (tree ordinances and zoning)
  • Tree removal and protection requirements
  • Case studies (e.g. Arlington County, VA, Atlanta, etc.)

Jad Daley
President and Chief Executive Officer

Areas of expertise:

  • Federal policy
  • Tree Equity Score
  • Climate change
  • Carbon

With temperatures, air particulate and carbon dioxide levels rising, our cities urgently need expanded tree canopy. Trees provide life-saving shade at bus stops and sidewalks near schools. Trees near homes provide billions of dollars of reduced energy costs each year, which means the absence of tree canopy adversely impacts people and neighborhoods least able to withstand it. 

A majority of the country — more than 80% — lives in urbanized areas. Due to historic discriminatory policies, trees are often sparse in neighborhoods with more low-income families and people of color. American Forests is working to bring the benefits of trees to all neighborhoods so that everyone can experience the critical health benefits that trees bring, regardless of zip code, income level or race.