WHAT WE KNOW
Imagine every neighborhood in Charlottesville as a forest where children and their families have access to clean air, shade trees, and vibrant green space. Instead, the reality in some Charlottesville neighborhoods is quite different:
Charlottesville’s tree canopy coverage declined significantly from 50% in 2004 to 38% today,
a tree canopy loss of 990 acres. Every neighborhood has declined. Plus, the rate of decline has more than doubled in the last 4 years as compared to the prior 10 years.
Residential zones below 40% tree canopy are considered “heat islands,”
unhealthy neighborhoods where residents suffer more from heat related illnesses and asthma. According to the Fire Department, 10th and Page has the highest rate of cardiac arrest in the City.
Unfortunately, 12 of Charlottesville 19 neighborhoods are below 40% tree canopy;
three neighborhoods, 10th & Page, Rosehill and Starr Hill, are below 25% canopy cover, which corresponds to areas subjected to historical redlining and inequitable development policies.
ReLeaf will prioritize planting and preserving trees on private property where the City cannot.
As discovered in the latest Canopy Study, about 75% of the areas for tree planting in the City are on private property.
At Venable school on the same day last summer, the temperature difference between the shaded playground and the hot playground was 20° - 82° to 102°
This past July, Charlottesville recorded its highest recorded temperature of 103 in the shade.
Without the benefit of shade from trees, temperatures in the sun can register as much as 20 degrees higher.
The 10th and Page neighborhood has the highest energy costs in the City.
Many families spend 10% or more of their income on energy. The average in the City is 2.3%.
The Covid pandemic showed the critical need for access to nature and the outdoors,
for the mental and physical health of children and families.