A newly released report looks at the importance of the Treasure Valley’s community forests in addressing the impacts of Idaho’s changing climate. The report concludes that while tree plantings alone are not sufficient to solve the problems of a changing climate, they can help to shrink the Valley’s carbon footprint.
Produced by Treasure Valley Canopy Network, The Nature Conservancy in Idaho and Ecosystem Sciences Foundation, The Treasure Valley Forest Carbon Assessment quantified the economic and carbon value of past and future tree planting projects. The report was funded in part by the Idaho Department of Lands in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.
Planting trees can help reduce the Treasure Valley's urban heat, which is projected to increase in coming years.
The report builds off a 2013 assessment that found the Valley's trees collectively store 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 valued at $29 million. Since the 2013 report, about 8,275 trees have been planted. By the year 2042, these trees will have stored more than 15,000 metric tons of CO2 - the equivalent of taking 5,433 drivers and passengers off Treasure Valley roads for one year.
To learn more and to view and download a copy of the report, go to: www.tvcanopy.net/forest-carbon
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