Trees Atlanta hosts full-day conference

Trees Atlanta will host its fourth annual Atlanta Canopy Conference 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at The Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Ave. The full-day conference is a gathering of city leaders, nonprofit and industry professionals, scientists, community advocates, and residents from throughout metro Atlanta for an action-oriented conversation on “Fighting Climate Change with Urban Forests,” according to a press release.

The impacts of climate change are amplified in urban areas where rapidly growing populations and competing demands for land use intersect in neighborhoods of widely different conditions. The City of Atlanta is forecasted to more than double in population by 2050. The same trend is predicted for the entire Metro Atlanta region. As more people move into urban areas, demands on Atlanta’s infrastructure grows. Investing in the natural infrastructure of trees can have high returns on investment and provide real benefits to people.

Conference speakers include:

■ Dave Nowak, Senior Scientist from USDA Forest Service who specializes in quantifying tree loss and gain trends throughout the United States. He is widely known for the development of the iTree tool.

■ Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation Executive Director

■ Commissioner John Dargle (Department of Parks and Recreation)

■ Commissioner Tim Keane (Department of Planning)

■ Other policy, climate, and health experts who will address the case for more trees in Atlanta and the local effects of urban forests in fighting climate change.

Tiered registration fees are offered; City of Atlanta residents are eligible for a limited number of scholarships through their City Council Member’s office.

Information: treesatlanta.org.