2024 Charlestown Tree Optimization Project

For Municipally-Owned Property and Assets

The proposed project aims to build upon insights gained through the 2023 CEEEM Charlestown Tree Audit Project. Leveraging information and data collected by the 2023 CEEEM project team, the proposed project seeks to extend the collaborative partnership between the University of Louisville and local leadership of Charlestown, Indiana to develop a pathway for identifying and optimizing the planting and maintenance of native, non-invasive tree species within municipally-owned properties and assets within Charlestown. The following components reflect the primary focus on the proposed project and role-based activities:

Project Team Members:

·       Coordinate project with community leaders

·       Explore and establish project scope

·       Identify geographical location(s) for prioritization

·       Develop catalog of optimal native, non-invasive tree species for planting

·       Assess viability of optimal planting locations in conjunction with existing data

o   2023 CEEEM Charlestown Tree Study data

o   Charlestown, Indiana utility data via Ziptility

·       Construct tree maintenance and care primer for municipality

·       Generate effective tools for community awareness and education

·       Craft Executive Summary of project as deliverable to local leaders and community members

GIS Analysis:

·       Determine geographical scope of project

·       Visualize geographical boundaries of project

·       Generate deliverable visualization of project

Community Partnership: Arborist(s)

·       Coordinate with project team to develop:

o   Optimal native, non-invasive tree species for planting

o   Factor for location-specific considerations

o   Develop actionable tree maintenance and care plan for municipal leaders

Accomplishing the aforementioned activities will result in an Executive Summary generated by the project team members which can be utilized by local leaders in Charlestown, Indiana to promote environmental awareness, enhance quality-of-life elements, and mitigate potential municipal expenses incurred by deploying best practices of tree planting and maintenance.

CEEEM Leadership: Dr. Faisal Aqlan (faisal.aqlan@louisville.edu) and Ashley Jaggers (Ashley.jaggers@louisville.edu)

Community Mentor: TBD

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patrick C. Exmeyer (patrick.exmeyer@louisville.edu)

Student Mentor: TBD

Student Participants: TBD

ISA Certified Arborist: TBD

Stakeholder Leadership: Mayor Dr. Treva Hodges (mayor@cityofcharlestown.com); Director of Media and Communication Mr. Brian Smith (media@cityofcharlestown.com)

Stakeholders At-Large: Residents and greater Charlestown community

Resources:

https://www.cityofcharlestown.com/227/Tree-Study-2023