OPAL’s Bartel Road property is home to an “ecologically valuable” forest with many old growth trees born one or two centuries ago. The trees provide “habitat for birds, small mammals and insects”, filter the air and absorb carbon emissions.
To guide stewardship activities and future housing development on the property, OPAL engaged Rain Shadow Consulting to conduct a forest health assessment.
Trees presenting potential hazards for adjacent properties were identified and those rated high risk were immediately removed.
Alternative scenarios were created, suggesting ways to develop housing while preserving as many old growth trees as possible. Rain Shadow also calculated the amount of carbon the forest currently captures, with an eye toward maintaining that level as housing is built.
This information will help shape plans for Bartel Road as OPAL balances the values of affordable housing and forest resilience.
Stewardship – caring for people and land – is OPAL’s legacy for the future.
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