The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) is actively involved in urban forestry, particularly through initiatives like the Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) analysis for the Roanoke Valley. This project, updated from its last completion in 2010, is a collaborative effort involving RVARC, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton.
The UTC analysis is a significant undertaking that utilizes advanced technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and aerial photography to classify land cover in the study area. This classification includes tree canopy, non-tree vegetation, impervious surfaces, buildings, and water. The data collected from this analysis assists local governments and stakeholders in setting goals for urban tree canopy, developing urban forestry plans, and promoting increased tree canopy in the area. This is particularly important as neighborhoods with higher tree canopy tend to be healthier, both socially and economically.
