The Regional Commission, in partnership Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton conducted an Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) analysis for the Roanoke Valley. The project was funded, in part, by a grant from the Water Quality Improvement Fund, Regional Grants Program provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry. Additional UTC stakeholders included the Roanoke Valley Urban Forestry Council and the Roanoke Valley Governors School.
The Roanoke Valley UTC project study generally area includes the “urbanized” areas of the Roanoke Valley and covers all of the cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the Town of Vinton, and portions of Roanoke County. Roanoke Valley UTC Analysis Study Area Map
The Roanoke Valley UTC Analysis project utilized National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial photography, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and other spatial data to classify land cover in the study area into the following categories: tree canopy; non-tree vegetation; non-building impervious; buildings; and water. UTC data is available to assist participating localities and stakeholders in setting urban tree canopy goals, complement existing urban forestry plans, and support initiatives to promote increased urban tree canopy in the study area.
Urban Tree Canopy Fact Sheet
UTC Assessment Model Data Requirements
Roanoke Valley Urban Tree Canopy Reports
City of Roanoke UTC Report 2010
City of Salem UTC Report 2010
Town of Vinton UTC Report 2010
Roanoke County UTC Report 2010
RVARC UTC Report 2010
Roanoke Valley UTC Analysis Presentation
The UTC analysis land cover ‘classification’ (GIS shapefile) and other spatial data are available. Contact the Regional Commission to request available data.
The Urban Tree Canopy Analysis of Virginia Localities website provides UTC analysis report for participating localities throughout Virginia. The website site also provides links to additional UTC resources.
Local Urban Forestry / UTC Resources
City of Roanoke Urban Forestry
City of Salem – Urban Forest Overlay District
Roanoke Valley Tree Stewards
Roanoke Valley Urban Forestry Council
Urban Ecosystem Analysis, Roanoke Virginia (2002)
UTC Analysis Tools and Resources
Virginia Urban Tree Canopy Mapper
iTree
Additional Resources
Urban Tree Canopy Analysis of Virginia Localities
Virginia Department of Forestry – Urban and Community Forestry
Trees Virginia – Virginia Urban Forestry Council
U.S. Forest Service
Urban Natural Resources Institute
Protecting and Developing the Urban Tree Canopy: A 135-City Survey
VA Geospacial Newsletter – Fall 2008