Improving Tree Cover in the NVCOG region
The purpose of the Naugatuck Valley Tree Canopy Assessment is to characterize the existing tree cover in the Naugatuck Valley region, develop spatial data layers to identify opportunities for improvement, and provide individual reports to each of our municipalities.
Collaborative Approach
NVCOG commissioned the services of the the University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL) at the Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources to perform the assessment and to calculate tree canopy change metrics. UCONN’s Urban Community Forestry Educator will partner with SAL to perform an in-depth environmental assessment of tree canopy equity.
Deliverables
SAL will use Connecticut spring 2023 LiDAR data along with the 2021 NAIP leaf-on aerial imagery to create a seven-class land cover raster data set and a tree canopy change raster data set. This data will then be summarized by various geographies and a narrative description of tree cover across each NVCOG municipality, along with charts and other graphics that show assessment findings. Results of the assessment will be available through an interactive, informational web mapping application, and the municipal reports will be published on the NVCOG website.
Project Duration
University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL) is in the middle of analyzing the region’s aerial imagery and performing data quality control to complete the assessment.
We are hoping for the report to be completed in Winter 2025-2026.
Stay Tuned for Updates
As the project progresses, staff will provide ongoing updates and insights into the development of the Tree Canopy Assessment page. Be sure to check back for a more comprehensive and detailed timeline.
Public Involvement Process
The NVCOG team is currently developing a public engagement process to ensure reaching a broad audience with this project. Please send any outreach ideas or requests to Molly Johnson at mjohnson@nvcogct.gov.
Stay Updated on Social Media
In addition to this website, NVCOG staff will keep you up-to-date regarding the project’s status and progress on NVCOG’s social media platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
