CJ Lammers

1. Using Canopy Goals and Ecosystem
Services Data to Support Land Use
Decision-Making
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2015 Partners in Community Forestry Conference
November 18, 2015

2. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal
- in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48%
- prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

3. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal
- in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48%
- prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan
- contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc.
- GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition

4. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal
- in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48%
- prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan
- contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc.
- GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition
2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study
- 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy = 52% FTC

5. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal
- in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48%
- prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan
- contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc.
- GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition
2010 Comprehensive Code Update
- implemented the strategies in the GI Plan to address forest
fragmentation, species composition, and increase tree canopy coverage
2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study
- 52% FTC = 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy =

6. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
2002 General Plan: 44% FTC goal
- in 20 years the canopy coverage will be 44%; existing coverage was 48%
- prepare a countywide green infrastructure plan
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2005 Green Infrastructure Master Plan
- contains strategies to meet the canopy goal and improve water quality, etc.
- GI network is a priority for conservation and acquisition
2010 Comprehensive Code Update
- implemented the strategies in the GI Plan to address forest
fragmentation, species composition, and increase tree canopy coverage
2014 General Plan Update: 52% FTC goal
- set a new canopy coverage goal of 52% to maintain the levels measured in 2009
- go update the Green Infrastructure Plan!
2009 Forest and Tree Canopy Coverage Study
- 44% forest canopy and 8% tree canopy = 52% FTC

7. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation)
- 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented
- update network, policies, and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan

8. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation)
- 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented
- update network, policies, and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan
2015 Forest Fragmentation Study (preliminary)
- in 2009, FTC was 49% core forests and 51% edge forests

9. Canopy Goal Implementation Timeline
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
2015 Green Infrastructure Plan Update (initiation)
- 80 of 92 strategies have been implemented
- update network, policies and strategies of the 2005 GI Plan
2015 Forest Fragmentation Study (preliminary)
- in 2009, FTC was 49% core forests and 51% edge forests
2015 Ecosystem Services Study
- based solely on the $$ values of the 52% FTC
- does not include the multitude of other values provided by streams,
wetlands, and other ecosystem elements

10. ES Study Key Findings – Air Quality Benefits
The county’s forest and tree canopy removes more than 5,100 metric tons of
air-borne pollutants every year, a value worth $21 million annually.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Air pollution causes or worsens:
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Heart conditions
$$$ $$$

11. ES Study Key Findings – Water Quality Benefits
Water pollution is reduced by the removal of 4.3 billion gallons
of polluted runoff per year.
A cost savings of $12.8 billion annually.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Water pollution is the main cause of
decline of the Chesapeake Bay:
• High nitrogen and phosphorus
levels cause algae blooms that
block sunlight
• Low sunlight levels result in low
oxygen levels BROAD CREEK
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Water Quality
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
$$$ $$$

12. ES Study Key Findings – GHG Benefits
ABSORPTION: The forest and tree canopy absorbs 211,000 metric tons of
carbon, a value of $16.6 million annually.
STORAGE: The forest and tree canopy stores
5 million metric tons of carbon, worth $395 million.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Greenhouse gas emissions
contribute to:
• A warmer planet
• Severe weather occurrences
$$$ $$$

13. ES Study Key Findings – Cooler Communities
Temperatures reduced by up to one degree Fahrenheit countywide.
Local canopy coverage can reduce temperatures 9 to 13 degrees.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Cooler communities:
• Considered more “livable”
• Higher property values
• Reduced crime rates
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14. Possible Uses of the Ecosystem Services Study
• Support the preservation and long-term conservation of forest and
tree canopy
• Assist in decision-making regarding stream retrofit and
reforestation projects
• Assist in the design of tree planting programs
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission