Atlanta’s greenspaces provide more than just pretty scenery

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Metro Atlanta has tons of greenspace.

The area’s urban forests and parks are more than just places to play.

There are numerous benefits for the environment and our health.

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“The trees are pretty much Atlanta’s identity. Other cities might have great architecture, or riverfront, or a view of the ocean. But we, again, have forest and trees,” Greg Levine, Executive Director for Trees Atlanta said. “They’re important in so many different ways. Obviously from a child’s standpoint, they produce oxygen, what we breathe every day.”

Trees slow and control stormwater to reduce flooding and improve the quality of our drinking water.

And as temperatures warm...

“They also help in reducing heat stroke by keeping us cool as we walk on city streets,” Levine said.

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Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon spoke to Sarah Stein on her walk along the BeltLine and she appreciates the relief.

“I think without them we’d be a lot more hot. The shade is important for sure,” Stein said.

Trees also cut down on pollution.

“If you have a tree in front of your house it can bring down blood pressure and stress level,” Levine said

Many people tend to look to nature and forested areas for peace and tranquility.

“I think it’s incredibly important that we have this beautiful canopy in our city, but I also think there’s a lot of development that we need to make sure we’re keeping up with and even expanding towards like housing in particular,” Stein said.

Levine suggests in order to keep our tree canopy protected, tree ordinances should be improved, including care for trees and reduce the amount of disturbed soil with new developments.

You can do your part to maintain healthy trees in your own backyard by building a relationship with an arborist to learn more about your trees and getting them checked every three years.

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