Tampa Bay’s Regional Canopy: Current Management and Opportunities for Growth is a companion study developed by the Clean Air Tampa Bay team to support stakeholder priorities to preserve and expand the regional tree canopy consistent with the forestry goals (Clean Air Tampa Bay, 43-46, 2026) outlined in the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The full report reviews the current management practices of Tampa Bay’s regional tree canopy and provides information on the benefits and challenges of urban forestry management.
Combining data from peer-reviewed research articles, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service mapping tool iTree Landscape, The American Forests Tree Equity tool, and interviews with local experts, this study evaluates the current state of Tampa Bay’s regional tree canopy. By identifying successful practices, the benefits of expansion, challenges preventing advancement, and opportunities for growth, municipalities and local organizations can use this document as a guidebook to achieve current and future tree management goals.
