What is tree equity?
Trees are critical urban infrastructure that are essential to public health and well-being. Tree equity refers to the fair distribution of trees in all neighbourhoods, regardless of race or income, so that everyone has access to the environmental, health and economic benefits of a vibrant urban forest. It’s important to note that tree equity is not simply distributional equity, in other words where trees are located. It’s also about procedural equity. Are decisions being made in a way that allows everyone to participate and have a voice? And recognitional equity, which is acknowledging that different people and communities have different needs. So, achieving tree equity may not mean that all neighborhoods have the same number or type of trees, but rather that the needs and expectations of every community are being met even if that means very different distributions of trees.
How is tree equity measured?
The Toronto Tree Equity Score Analyzer, developed in collaboration with American Forests, utilizes open-source data from various sources to generate a map that displays neighborhood scores ranging from 0 to 100. A lower score indicates a greater need for investment in tree equity initiatives.
The priority index identifies areas most in need of tree planting to achieve tree equity by utilizing seven equally weighted climate, health and socioeconomic variables integrated into the Tree Equity Score. These variables include building density, surface temperature, health, income and employment, race, language and age. To enhance its relevance and detail in Toronto, supplemental data such as city wards, neighborhood names and schools can also be incorporated into the map.
By integrating these diverse factors, the priority index offers a comprehensive view of where tree planting initiatives can make the most significant impact. A higher priority index signifies a greater likelihood that residents are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, pollution and other environmental hazards, all of which could be mitigated by the benefits provided by trees.
Why does tree equity matter?
Everyone deserves equal access to the environmental, health and economic benefits that trees provide. However, both historical and contemporary discriminatory practices have created significant inequities in who reaps these benefits. Addressing tree equity is essential to ensure that all communities can thrive in a healthier, greener environment.
How do Toronto’s neighbourhoods rank in terms of tree equity?
Toronto neighborhoods situated in or near industrial areas consistently show low tree equity scores. These areas of low canopy cover often coincide with lower household incomes and higher populations of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
The City of Toronto defines Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) as those facing the most inequitable outcomes across five key domains: economic opportunities, social development, healthy lives, participation in decision-making and physical surroundings. Toronto also defines low canopy cover as anything below 26.9%, which represents the average canopy cover in the city based on the latest tree canopy and neighborhood data. Out of the 33 NIAs in Toronto, 23 neighbourhoods fall below this average.
Mapping these trends reveals that the largest concentrations of tree inequity are in North Etobicoke and North York, along with a significant area in central Scarborough. While this overview provides a broad understanding of tree equity in Toronto, TESA will offer a more much more detailed picture of what this looks like by neighbourhood.
What factors explain the sparser tree canopy in neighbourhoods with higher poverty and more racialized residents?
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Discriminatory practices - Redlining is the practice of denying people access to credit based on their residential location, despite their personal qualifications for loans. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, US mortgage lenders widely redlined core urban neighborhoods, particularly those populated by Black residents. This practice also occurred in Canada, where lending institutions favored new developments in suburban areas, neglecting older inner-city properties and cheaper housing in less desirable neighborhoods close to industrial zones. This prevented people in these areas from owning homes and building intergenerational wealth, while city services remained unreliable or non-existent, with little to no funding invested in these communities.
This discrimination set the stage for tree inequity by shaping the physical and socioeconomic landscape of neighbourhoods. This pattern persists today, as many immigrants and people of color continue to face discrimination from banks, landlords and developers.
- Prioritizing grey over green - Urban planning often prioritizes grey infrastructure over living green infrastructure, viewing trees as a luxury rather than a necessity or a basic human right. Historically, trees have been treated as an afterthought in planning and development processes, leading to challenges such as limited growing space, poor soil quality, and inadequate rain infiltration. This neglect hinders the ability of trees to thrive, ultimately impacting the overall health and resilience of urban ecosystems.
- Property Size and Location - Residents with lower income often own smaller lots, which limits their ability to plant and maintain trees. Also, residents who live near industrial areas typically have less access to greenspace, as large factories, buildings, and parking lots dominate these landscapes, leaving little room for greenery. On the other hand, wealthier people, often from predominantly white communities due to the historical discriminatory practices previously mentioned, tend to have larger properties with more space for trees.
- Housing type and agency - Renters often lack the agency or decision-making power to plant trees, as they must navigate multiple layers of approvals from management companies, landlords and other authorities. This process can be exhausting and often feels futile. If landowners neglect the maintenance of trees and greenspaces, residents may develop negative associations with trees, viewing them as burdens rather than benefits.
- Resources - Money, time and energy are essential for investing in the planting, establishment and maintenance of trees. Residents in wealthier neighbourhoods often have greater access to these resources, enabling them to advocate effectively for community greening initiatives. For example, a shorter commute of 15 minutes compared to a longer commute of 1.5 hours significantly impacts the time and energy available for other activities, including environmental advocacy.
- Barriers to community engagement - Many individuals face exclusion from community processes, lacking meaningful opportunities for participation. Access to information often varies widely, with language barriers being particularly prevalent in areas with high populations of new immigrants. This issue is further compounded by resource limitations, as marginalized individuals may struggle to engage due to time constraints and lack of support. It’s essential to reflect on whether we are creating inclusive opportunities for engagement that consider factors such as cost, travel, language and cultural differences. Are we actively building relationships with these communities to understand their genuine needs and interests?
How does Toronto compare to other large Canadian cities on tree equity?
Many cities across the U.S. and Canada are currently experiencing tree inequity, and while specific research on this topic is limited, it’s likely that Toronto mirrors the trends observed in other large urban areas. For instance, Montreal exhibits a correlation between higher income neighborhoods and increased canopy cover.
The positive news for Toronto is that the City Forestry department has pledged to incorporate an equity lens into all its initiatives. We look forward to collaborating with them on this important endeavor!
What steps should the city and other organizations take to increase tree equity in Toronto?
Municipalities and community groups like LEAF have a responsibility to understand how to best engage with communities and remove the barriers to tree equity.
- Listen Learn and Recognize - To effectively address tree equity, it’s essential to first listen, learn, and recognize the systemic issues at play. This means doing our own research rather than relying on underserved communities to educate us. We must deepen our understanding of colonialism, systemic racism and white privilege, as these forces have established the inequities we see today. It’s equally important to reflect on our own individual privilege and prejudices and acknowledge how they influence our perspectives and actions. Only by recognizing these dynamics can we begin to work toward meaningful change.
- Develop slow partnerships - Building intentional, long-term partnerships is key to advancing tree equity. This process begins with centering our intentions and clearly defining our goals to ensure they align with the needs of the communities we aim to serve. Trust is fundamental and must be developed over time through consistent actions and open communication. Engaging in meaningful consultation and co-design with communities is critical, allowing for genuine collaboration where all voices are heard and valued. By dedicating time to foster these partnerships, we can create more lasting and impactful change.
- Embed Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into to all that we do - This requires us to rethink our mission and vision, ensuring they are aligned with these principles. In addition, we must critically assess and revise our policies, practices, and programs so that our work results in more equitable outcomes for all communities.
As the climate change crisis intensifies, the physical and mental health benefits that trees provide are more crucial than ever, especially for the most vulnerable members of our society. It is imperative that we work diligently to ensure that all residents have equitable access to these essential resources. By prioritizing tree equity and fostering community engagement, we can create healthier, more resilient neighborhoods for everyone.
Janet is the Executive Director at LEAF
Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA) Toronto is a free online tool developed by American Forests, the City of Toronto and LEAF.