Renton has received a $35,000 grant for its Urban Tree Canopy Project, which will aid the city in its commitment to combating climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.

At the Nov. 4 Renton City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the consent agenda containing the details of a $35,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

According to Ian Gray, manager of Renton Urban Forestry and Natural Resources, the grant will fund a consultant with specialized technical skills to execute the Urban Tree Canopy project by analyzing remote sensing data from light imaging and ranging laser technology.

The UTC is a citywide initiative to enhance Renton’s tree coverage in public and private spaces. Gray said the project assesses the tree canopy coverage, which is the amount of impervious surfaces covered by the shade of tree canopies. He said they do this through analyzing the light imaging and ranging laser technology data, which produces imagery and amps that show the extent of tree canopy coverage.

“This will help highlight where we need to plant new trees, prioritize preserving existing ones, and generally do a better job of maintaining a healthy urban forest,” Gray said. “Through this effort, we aim to improve the city’s green infrastructure, foster ecological health, and create more sustainable and livable neighborhoods for all residents.”

Gray said a robust UTC is vital for many reasons. Trees reduce urban heat islands, help improve air quality, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater runoff, and enhance biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife. In addition to the environmental importance, Gray said the UTC has significant social and economic benefits, such as increasing property values, reducing energy costs and improving mental well-being. Gray added that having a robust UTC helps Renton in fulfilling its commitment to combating climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.

On the financial side of things, Gray said this grant specifically helps the city cover costs for critical data analysis efforts that aid in targeting maintenance work toward underserved low tree cover areas, and thereby improve access to the benefits provided by trees in a more equitable manner. Gray said the studies conducted for the UTC are an important part of urban forestry management efforts, but are periodic and not usually budgeted.

City documents stated that this grant will cover all of the costs associated with the project, and no matching funds are required.