Indicator: Community Tree Planting in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (2014-2024)

<p><strong>Access the Indicator Materials:</strong><br />- <a target="_blank" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/chart-assets/community-tree-plantings-bmps-reported-cumulative-acres/Analysis-and-Methods-2024-Tree-Canopy-2025-06-06.pdf">Analysis &amp; Methods</a><br />- <a target="_blank" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/chart-assets/community-tree-plantings-bmps-reported-cumulative-acres/Data-2024-Tree-Canopy-2025-06-06.xlsx">Data File</a></p><p>The Community Tree Canopy Indicator has two components: annual state-reported urban tree planting Best Management Practices (BMPs) and remotely sensed changes in tree canopy, updated every four to five years. Annual BMP reporting tracks tree planting progress in developed areas, while the remotely sensed component captures both gains and losses in canopy over time, including changes within a fixed urban footprint defined by Census Places. The indicator focuses on net canopy change in developed land uses to better reflect permanent loss to development and long-term progress toward increasing tree canopy.</p><p><strong>Note: This Indicator supported progress tracking toward the Tree Canopy Outcome in the original Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, adopted in 2014. The Watershed Agreement and Healthy Forests and Trees Outcome were revised in 2025.</strong></p>