Currently, Fraser Coast Regional Council is undertaking a project to identify the location of urban heat islands in our region, with the aim of increasing vegetation cover in these areas through the planting of urban forests. Urban forests are networks of trees, and other vegetation, located in urban and peri-urban areas (including forests, street trees, parks and gardens). Urban forests are not a new concept however it is only recently where it has begun to gain popularity as an environmental management tool.
Worldwide, trees and natural environments are now regarded as critical urban infrastructure due to the many benefits they provide across the environmental, social and economic domains. These include:
