From Crisis to Canopy: Lessons from Cedar Rapids’ Derecho Storm Recovery скачать в хорошем качестве

From Crisis to Canopy: Lessons from Cedar Rapids’ Derecho Storm Recovery

From Crisis to Canopy: Lessons from Cedar Rapids’ Derecho Storm Recovery In August 2020, a powerful derecho—one of the most destructive windstorms in U.S. history—swept across Iowa and the Midwest, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Cedar Rapids, located in eastern Iowa, was hardest hit. In a matter of hours, the city lost more than 650,000 trees, 65% of its canopy; and saw neighborhoods, homes, and public infrastructure suffer catastrophic damage. From Crisis to Canopy explores how Cedar Rapids transformed an unprecedented disaster into a model for long-term urban forest recovery. This session reviews the City’s immediate response and the development of ReLeaf Cedar Rapids, a bold 10-year plan to restore the urban tree canopy. Designed as a coordinated, data-driven roadmap, ReLeaf Cedar Rapids prioritizes equitable replanting, guides species selection, and aligns public and private property efforts to ensure sustained canopy restoration across the city.