Welcome to the SJC OpenTreeMap (OTM) for Jersey City ! Tree Census + Stewardship

Join Our Campaign In your Neighborhood!

‘We Can’t Manage What We Don’t Measure !’

 
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what Is Going On?

JC’s Tree Canopy has deteriorated another 6+% since the 2015 JCEC Tree Canopy Study was done (2013 data used).

THIS TWO - YEAR LONG 2020 - 2021 CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT FOR THE JC TREE CENSUS HAS BEEN COMPLETED - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ! AND THANK YOU TO OUR 500 + VOLUNTEERS 👍


The ‘We Can’t Manage What We Don’t Measure !’ Tree Census Campaign set the foundation for a game plan to restore the JC Tree Canopy. It was part of a 3-prong strategy to FIRST create a Tree Inventory, SECOND establish a Maintenance Program for Existing Trees, and THIRD ramp up Tree Planting, especially for Street Trees !

We Can’t Manage What We Don’t Measure ! is the name of this Tree Mapping Census Campaign we are spearheading with the assistance of the public. Our goal is to help JC Forester Ed O’Malley better manage, protect and restore JC’s Tree Canopy using the SJC OTM to collect and resource Tree Data for decision making purposes ~

Two reasons why the JC Tree Canopy MATTERS:
1) Jersey City and the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI) - February 2021
2) Flood Mitigation - BIG issue in JC !

Originally developed by Azavea, SJC piloted a version of their open-source tool from 2016-2018 and now we have launched our own SJC OTM platform, partnering with iNaturalist to help our Citizen Scientist Tree Mappers with Tree Species ID. After a very successful first season kick-off of a Historic JC Tree Mapping Census On Earth Day 2020, Season 2 is already underway with a Winter Education Series for our Tree Mappers.

Learning Resources

Learn why a UTC Assessment for Jersey City is important, watch video below:

Learn more about Trees in your neighborhood by tuning in to the resources below:

Resources for Tree Mappers to get started with Tree Species Identification - remember that part of the fun of being a Citizen Scientist Tree Mapper is learning to identify the different Tree species in Jersey City 😎

Learn more about how to measure large Trees -

All you need to know about the Benefits of Urban Trees here !

 

SJC Education Flyers -Download & Share !

past Events (Thanks all who volunteered !)

 

Getting Started with SJC's Tree Mapping Census for Jersey City is a 3-STEP PROCESS -

1. Tree Census Registry Sign-Up MANDATORY - This Links You To Your Neighborhood !

2. If You Missed Summer 2021 SJC Citizen Science Tree Mapping Program - Take Our Fall Training - Join The Tree Census For Your Neighborhood ! Sept 15th, 7pm OTM Training, Registration Required , ( A Primer On The Importance Of Urban Tree Canopy Health + Learn How To Use The OpenTreeMap On Your Smartphone ) You Must Participate In One Of SJC’s OTM Training Sessions To Join As A Tree Mapper In Your Neighborhood ~

3. Download Online Text Messaging GroupMe App To Stay In Touch With Your Neighborhood Captain (NC) AND Tree Mappers In Your Neighborhood - available for your smartphone and desktop 👍 ( You Will Be Sent Your Neighborhood GroupMe Link Right After The Virtual Zoom Citizen Science Training As Part Of Your Onboarding Instructions to establish a SJC OTM Account.)

 

UPCOMING ! 2022 Winter Tree Education Series Starting Tues Eve January 18th - Register Here ✨

Sustainable Jersey City is happy to present our 2022 Winter Tree Education Series - come learn how to care for the Trees in your neighborhood! We will be holding the following webinars via Zoom with these wonderful Tree Experts:

Sam Bishop / Trees NY - Environmental Benefits of Urban Trees Tuesday January 18th 7pm - webinar recording here

Sam Bishop - Winter and Spring Tree Care Tuesday February 1st 7pm - webinar recording here

Kieran Hunt / NJ Forestry Association- Developmental Pruning of Young Trees Tuesday February 15th 7pm - webinar recording here

Sam Bishop - Planting Your Tree Bed Tuesday March 1st 7pm - webinar recording here

 

2021 Winter Education Series For Tree Mappers - 7 Webinars Recorded

Photo gallery

Special Thanks to SJC’s OTM Advisory Team -

Kieran Hunt and Ryan Metz, you guys are awesome !