WLIA 2025 Annual Conference Appleton

DNR staff created new statewide urban landcover models for Wisconsin for 2020 and 2022 derived from USDA aerial imagery. This presentation will describe the creation and validation of these models and highlight urban forest canopy differences between Wisconsin communities. In addition, this presentation will highlight the relationships between urban landcover and several variables including temperature, cooling, population demographics, and housing values. Finally, this presentation will demonstrate how the model can be used to optimize the beneficial effects of urban forests.