Urban Forest
Enhancing and Expanding Our Urban Forest
Trees are a necessary natural resource; they reduce heat, absorb and filter stormwater, sequester carbon emissions, and act as vital parts of local ecosystems. Unfortunately, Charlottesville’s tree canopy is decreasing: our Urban Tree Coverage (UTC) is down to 38% in 2023 from 45% in 2014. This decrease is symptomatic of the overall U.S. decline in tree coverage, which is driven by increased development, extreme storms, disease, and insects.
For our community to reach its goal in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan -- achieving an average of 45% tree canopy coverage across the City’s geographic area – both the City and residents need to aggressively increase tree preservation, planting, and maintenance.
Green Infrastructure
The Benefits of Going Green
Green infrastructure uses plants, soils, trees, and other landscaping features to filter, store, or absorb stormwater. These solutions can reduce runoff, pollution, and flooding in neighborhoods across Charlottesville. Common solutions include porous pavement, green roofs, rain gardens, pocket forests, and more. Check out the Water Resource Protection Program.
Use our CityGreen Resource Map to see where nature-based solutions can be found around the city.
Water Conservation
Pursuing a Sustainable, Water-Rich Future
Water is life, plain and simple. To maintain a healthy city for future generations, we all must do our part to conserve water, both indoors and outdoors, at work, school, and home. Luckily, conserving water is easy (and can save you money!).
Utilize the City’s resources to find and stop leaks, save outdoor water, and pursue water-efficient products.
What You Can Do
Keep Our Community Healthy
