Trees are essential for building sustainable, livable communities. BETA helps municipalities and organizations manage urban forests with data-driven strategies that support long-term planning, funding, and public engagement.
Our Four-Phase Approach
BETA’s urban forestry services combine advanced data collection, GIS mapping, and strategic planning:
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Set Goals & Funding Strategy
We identify urban forestry goals and align them with potential funding sources. -
Inventory & Assessment
Our team documents species, condition, and canopy coverage using GIS tools to map and visualize assets and opportunities. -
Planning for the Future
We develop long-term strategies and policies—including equity planning and climate action plans—backed by maintenance and digital tools. -
Tree Planting & Program Support
We guide species selection, planting, and maintenance, ensuring sustained success through program reporting and updates.
Expertise & Services
Our multidisciplinary team includes landscape architects, planners, engineers, and environmental scientists offering:
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GIS & Technology: Interactive web mapping and real-time data support smart decision-making.
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Community Engagement: Public outreach, planting events, and educational programs build local stewardship.
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Safety & Risk Mitigation: Proactive assessments help manage tree health and reduce liability.
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Environmental & Social Benefits: Tree planting improves air quality, stormwater control, urban cooling, and neighborhood appeal.
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Custom Tree Plans: We tailor planting strategies to local needs, expanding canopy coverage and enhancing community resilience.
Case study – Urban Forest Equity Planning in Manchester, New Hampshire
The City of Manchester’s Urban Forest Equity Planning project, funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Justice40 program, addresses equity and environmental justice by prioritizing disadvantaged neighborhoods for urban forestry improvements. Phase one includes a tree inventory and canopy analysis using advanced field data collection and GIS methodologies. Tablets were used in the field to collect tree data and perform Level 2 tree assessments, while a tree canopy layer identified areas with sparse coverage and potential planting locations.
BETA’s GIS team played a central role in the project by integrating diverse datasets, including equity indicators such as public health, demographic patterns, and environmental stressors. This geospatial analysis enabled the identification of neighborhoods most impacted by urban heat islands, air pollution, and climate vulnerabilities. By visualizing and analyzing these layers, the project created a data-driven foundation for equitable decision-making and prioritization.
The resulting Urban Forestry Equity Plan will outline actionable steps to remove hazardous trees, increase canopy coverage, and enhance climate resilience in underserved areas. Urban forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, reducing stormwater runoff, and supporting public health.
By aligning environmental benefits with social justice, this project transforms Manchester’s urban landscape and serves as a model for equitable urban forestry planning nationwide.
BETA is committed to creating urban forestry solutions that enhance environmental quality, improve public spaces, and engage the community. For more information, contact Tito Sanchez, GISP.