By putting data collection directly into the hands of residents and community organizations, we’re giving people the power to visualize their impact, push for resources, and shape the future of their neighborhoods.

Mapping and information technologies have historically played a vital role in shaping which neighborhoods receive investments like safe housing, parks, and other improvements. From red-lined maps that marked certain neighborhoods as too ‘risky’ for investment by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) to limitations on accessing important datasets such as those showing exposure to environmental harms, these tools have played a key role in deciding which neighborhoods thrived — and which were left behind.

But, until more recent upgrades, this essential information was often kept behind paywalls and in inaccessible data sets.

Recently, improvements to geospatial tools such as ArcGIS software have made these resources more accessible to residents and grassroots organizations. With access, communities can lead efforts to tackle extreme heat, improve air quality, reduce flooding, and reveal opportunities to make their neighborhoods greener and healthier — while gaining the data and insights they need to advocate for resources, make informed decisions, and drive lasting change.

People-Centered & Data-Driven

While we’ve been increasing the use of our hyperlocal data and geospatial mapping through our Climate Safe Neighborhoods program for nearly a decade, when we launched our new Groundwork Urban Forestry Data Collection Tool in 2024, we knew we wanted to take this one step further. We wanted to create a tool that would enable Groundwork Affiliates, our grassroots partners, to have full ownership over every aspect of their data. To support this work, rather than use a tool already on the market, we built our own tool that easily tracks and measures the impact of tree planting, grows the technical skills of staff, and empowers community members to take ownership of the trees in their neighborhoods.

The Power of Grassroots Data Collection

While detailed tree data collection is by no means novel, who is doing the data collection in our Network is. Groundwork staff, such as Urban Forestry Program Leads, spearhead data collection, and Green Teamers, community members, and organizations collaborating with Groundwork Affiliates also participate in data collection. This truly grassroots approach makes the work powerful: since the tool’s launch, Affiliates have collected data on over 12,000 trees! This success demonstrates the power of equipping residents and community organizations with technical tools that help them visualize and measure the impact of their work. These tools provide a new way for people’s lived experiences to be seen and understood, giving them the power to push for investments that boost community health, safety, and resilience.

– Ramon Uribe, Community Engagement Manager for Groundwork San Diego

Translating Data into Impact and Back Again 

Planting trees where they are needed most and ensuring their long-term care through community stewardship are central to Groundwork’s urban forestry initiatives. Detailed tree data helps affiliates achieve these goals by giving them the information they need to make smart decisions about their urban forests.

With the Groundwork Urban Forestry Data Collection Tool, Affiliates can:

• Track and manage trees: Monitor new tree plantings, inventory existing trees, plan future plantings, and record maintenance and inspections.
• Add to a centralized database: All tree data is stored in one accessible location so Affiliates can easily view, manage, and download their data.
• Access ArcGIS Dashboards: Key indicators are visualized through dashboards, helping Affiliates understand characteristics of tracked trees and see the impact of completed work.
• View eco-benefit calculations: iTree eco-benefits are generated on a per-tree basis and reveal how trees lower energy costs, reduce flooding by absorbing gallons of stormwater runoff, clean the air by removing pollutants, and improve public health by cooling neighborhoods.
• Foster community understanding and engagement: Community members can participate in data collection and understand the benefits of expanding the urban forest in their neighborhoods.

More than trees and maps, this work is about people shaping the future of their neighborhoods. As we continue to build on this work, we’re seeing firsthand how powerful it is when data collection starts at the grassroots level. The Groundwork Urban Forestry Data Collection Tool is just one example of what’s possible when organizations have access to the innovative tools that foster environmental and social well-being. By empowering residents to map, measure, and drive solutions, we are cultivating greener neighborhoods, healthier communities, and the leaders who will sustain them for years to come.

To see how Groundwork Affiliates are growing urban tree canopies across the country, visit the Groundwork Urban Forestry page.