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142 | CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN <br />CANOPY COVER AND EQUITY <br />The CalEnviroScreen data indicates that all of <br />Pleasanton’s residents live in a census tract that has <br />a low vulnerability to pollution. The census tracts <br />with scores between 30% - 40% are largely located <br />along major roads and highways that pass through <br />the City (US 580 and US 680) or contain some major <br />commercial or industrial center indicating that proximity <br />to these roadways and frequented commercial areas <br />contributes to a greater vulnerability to pollution. <br />While it is challenging to plant trees along highways <br />and commercial and industrial areas, targeted green <br />infrastructure projects and strategic plantings in <br />surrounding areas would provide benefits in mitigating <br />pollution and improving overall air quality. <br />3.1.3 Tree Equity Score <br />To prioritize tree planting initiatives that address existing <br />gaps in tree canopy cover, the Tree Equity Score can identify <br />neighborhoods within census block groups that could <br />benefit from more green spaces. The Tree Equity Score <br />(TES) metric was developed by American Forests, a nonprofit <br />organization dedicated to increasing tree canopy in urban, <br />rural, and natural areas. The variables used when calculating <br />the Priority Index as part of the Tree Equity Score include <br />canopy cover, climate, health, and socioeconomic data, <br />such as percentage of population below 20% of the poverty <br />line, unemployment rate, and urban heat severity (American <br />Forests, 2024). The TES is calculated by multiplying the <br />Gap Score by the Priority Index. A lower TES indicates a <br />greater priority for tree planting and protection. The TES for <br />Pleasanton was evaluated to assess how well the benefits <br />of urban tree canopy are distributed across different census <br />block groups (neighborhoods). <br />The target score established by American Forests for a <br />City to achieve Tree Equity is a minimum of 75. Overall, <br />Pleasanton has a TES of 81. Ten out of 47 neighborhoods <br />have a TES below 75. Based on the information provided in <br />the TES report, the average canopy cover across these 10 <br />Figure 3-3. Distribution of Tree Equity Scores <br />Source: American Forests (2023).