PlanIT Geo™

New York’s hemlock forests are under serious threat from the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, and a new announcement from DEC, State Parks, and the New York State Hemlock Initiative CONFIRMS A PIVOTAL MILESTONE: predator beetles released in Harriman State Park are now successfully reproducing and being redistributed across the region, marking a scalable, long-term biological control strategy that offers renewed hope for protecting these foundational trees and the ecosystems and communities that depend on them. Learn more here: https://on.ny.gov/4scv3tb

🌳 Ready to see LiDAR data in action? Mark your calendars for April 1, 2025 — no jokes here! Join Ian Hanou and Rocky Yosek from PlanIT Geo for our free webinar: 👉 “From Data to Decisions – How Cities Actually Use LiDAR-Derived Inventories.” Mobile LiDAR captures some incredible 3D data about urban forests — but the real magic happens when that data starts shaping everyday decisions, priorities, and tree work. 🌲💡 In this 60-minute session, we’ll walk through the full journey — from raw LiDAR capture to real-world municipal use. You’ll see how TreeD Inventory and TreePlotter combine automation, arborist validation, and GIS analysis into one practical, powerful workflow. If you’re in urban forestry, GIS, or city operations, this is your chance to see how LiDAR-derived inventories become more than just data — they become action. 📅 Date: April 1, 2025 🕐 Time: 60 minutes of LiDAR insight and inspiration 🎙️ Presenters: Ian Hanou & Rocky Yosek, PlanIT Geo Don’t miss out on seeing how cities are modernizing their urban tree data — from ground to cloud! 🌍 🔗 [Register here] https://bit.ly/4sOq81G

📣Check out the March 2026 issue of CommuniTREE News with the latest in trees and tech news: ☑️WEBINARS: Mobile LiDAR for Tree Inventories Webinar Series 2026 ☑️GUIDE: Tree Preservation Ordinances 101 ☑️ARTICLE: Cheyenne's new strategic plan ☑️ARTICLE: Bioshield Nexus- High school students new tech ☑️UPCOMING EVENTS: ArborEXPO™ ’26, ArborFest, Western Chapter ISA ☑️ARTICLE: Advantages of a statewide inventory ☑️ARTICLE: Palo Alto’s latest young tree report isn’t just a warning—it’s fueling action ☑️EBOOK: Weathering Winter Read the full 🌳March 2026🌲 CommuniTREE Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/457vfyl

🌲 Curious about Mobile LiDAR for Urban Forestry? Join us tomorrow, March 24 at noon MST for a practical, plain‑spoken look at what this technology really does for cities and tree inventories. In this free 60‑minute webinar, Russ Warnock from PlanIT Geo will break down — in simple, real‑world terms — what mobile LiDAR actually captures for urban trees, how it stacks up against traditional and hybrid inventories, and when it’s worth including in your next RFP. No previous LiDAR experience needed — just bring your curiosity (and maybe your lunch)! 🥪🌳 If you’ve seen LiDAR pop up in proposals and wondered, “Is this right for us?”, this session will give you the clarity you need to decide. 📅 Date: March 24, 2025 🕛 Time: Noon MST 🎙️ Presenter: Russ Warnock, PlanIT Geo 🎓ISA CEU'S Available Get ready to see mobile LiDAR demystified — and discover where it truly shines. 🔗 [Register here] https://bit.ly/4sOq81G

Strong TREE PRESERVATION POLICIES are one of the most powerful tools communities have to protect and grow their urban forests. Why? Because preserving mature trees delivers exponentially greater benefits than replacing them later. A 30-inch tree can intercept 10x more air pollution, store 90x more carbon, and provide 100x more leaf area than a newly planted 6-inch tree. In our new blog, Tree Preservation Ordinance 101, we break down the key ingredients of effective tree preservation codes—without the policy jargon. If your community is updating its ordinance or thinking about how to balance development with canopy growth, this is a great place to start. Inside the article, you’ll learn about: 🌳How communities define protected and heritage trees 📜When tree removal permits should be required 🍃Approaches to mitigation and canopy replacement 🏡Smart exemptions and incentives that support development while protecting trees 📈Why implementation tools and data tracking matter just as much as the policy itself We also share real-world examples from cities across the country and practical guidance for communities looking to strengthen their approach. If your community is serious about protecting its existing canopy while planning for future growth, this is a must-read. Read the full blog: https://bit.ly/4bujDtI What challenges has your community faced when implementing or updating a tree preservation ordinance?

Neighbors in East Portland just turned a small park project into a powerful example of what community-led action can look like. HOW THIS COMMUNITY STEPPED UP On Valentine’s Day, about 35 neighbors, families, and local leaders came together at Cherry Blossom Park in the Hazelwood neighborhood to plant eleven new trees. This wasn’t a top‑down initiative; it was sparked by a neighbor who lives three doors down and serves as a Neighborhood Tree Steward with Portland Parks & Recreation. She saw that the park lacked shade and overheated in summer, so she organized, advocated, and invited others in. Neighbors went door‑to‑door, engaged local schools, and used their street mural page and group text threads to get the word out. ACTIVITIES THAT MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT What stood out most was how hands‑on the day was. Instead of arriving to pre‑dug holes, volunteers learned the full process: cutting sod, digging, preparing the soil, and carefully sizing the hole “just right” for each tree under the guidance of Urban Forestry staff. This turned a simple volunteer shift into practical education and real ownership of the trees they planted. Families brought their kids, local leaders got involved, and the event became both a learning experience and a neighborhood “Valentine” to their shared space. The result is more than eleven southern magnolias and Oregon white oaks; it’s a generation of residents who now feel connected to the future canopy they helped create. LESSONS FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES Any community can adapt this model to strengthen local involvement: 1️⃣Start with a clear, local need (heat, shade, safety, accessibility) that neighbors can easily see and feel. 2️⃣Empower a resident champion or small core group to coordinate with city agencies or nonprofits. 3️⃣Mix education with action so volunteers walk away with new skills, not just tired muscles. 4️⃣Use existing networks—schools, neighborhood groups, social threads—to invite people personally. 5️⃣Make it family‑friendly and celebratory so participation feels meaningful and fun. LOOKING AHEAD TO ARVADA, CO PlanIT Geo is proud to be sponsoring a local community‑led event on April 18th in Arvada, Colorado, and we’re looking forward to integrating many of these same ideas—resident champions, hands‑on learning, and family‑friendly activities—into how we engage and empower neighbors there. When neighbors are given real responsibility, practical guidance, and a shared purpose, they don’t just show up for a single event—they help shape the long‑term health and identity of their community. Read the community success story here: https://bit.ly/4bkZYfG

Urban forests face a growing threat from invasive plant species—and innovative tech is stepping up to help. 🌱 A high school sophomore who developed an app to identify invasive plants in local landscapes, is making it easier for everyday residents, students, and community groups to spot and report problem species early. This kind of accessible, on-the-ground detection is exactly what cities need to protect canopy health, biodiversity, and maintenance budgets in our parks and rights-of-way. For those of us working in urban forestry, it’s a powerful reminder that the next generation of tools may come from unexpected places—and that citizen science plus AI can become a force multiplier for monitoring and managing invasive plants. If you care about resilient urban ecosystems and want to see how one student turned a local concern into a practical solution, I highly recommend reading the full article and thinking about how similar ideas could plug into your city or organization. What’s one way your team is using technology to tackle invasive plants today? https://bit.ly/4ufVhfX #technology #NatureBasedSolutions #CitizenScience #InvasiveSpecies

Cheyenne is raising the bar for urban forestry—and we’re thrilled they use TreePlotter™ Software Suite to help grow and manage their city tree canopy. Their new strategic plan is setting a powerful example of how data, community, and vision can work together to build a healthier, more resilient city forest. Proud to support this work and excited to see what’s next. 🌳 👉 Learn more about Cheyenne here: https://bit.ly/4kPPlWT 👉 Check out Their TreePlotter app here https://bit.ly/4bsk9JU

Cities everywhere talk about “more trees” and “cooler streets”—but this new Nature Communications paper shows that shade isn’t shared equally, and that really matters. WHO GETS THE SHADE? The study finds that in many cities, richer neighborhoods enjoy cooler, shadier sidewalks, while lower-income areas are left to walk in the sun. Once you see the numbers, it’s hard to unsee how even something as simple as a tree can reflect deeper inequality. IT'S NOT JUST “PLANT MORE TREES” A big takeaway: it’s not how many trees a city plants, it’s where they go. The authors suggest treating shade like critical social infrastructure and targeting investments so the hottest, most vulnerable streets get relief first. If you work in cities, climate, or public health, this is a quick but eye-opening read. Do you think the shadiest streets in your city are in the neighborhoods that need them most? https://lnkd.in/gdAUNBRe

Knotweed is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in North America, and once it’s established, most guidance boils down to years of cutting and careful herbicide use just to keep it in check. We just came across new research out of Maine that highlights a simple and surprisingly practical management technique that homeowners and land managers can actually implement without heavy equipment or massive budgets. Instead of relying solely on repeated mowing or large-scale excavation, this approach focuses on targeted, timed treatment that works with the plant’s biology to move control efforts down into the rhizomes, where knotweed is hardest to reach. This is well worth a read. It’s concise, actionable, and offers a more hopeful path than “live with it forever.” https://bit.ly/4c8OjTs