It’s not just about trees.

Yes, a large tree canopy such as those that exist in parts of Lynchburg can clean the air, take up storm water and keep temperatures cool in the heat of the summer. But that’s only a portion of the city’s green infrastructure.

Those environmental assets —such as trees, waterways and trails — are at the heart of a unique partnership between Lynchburg and a University of Virginia urban and environmental planning class. The students, taught by UVa adjunct professor Karen Firehock, are taking stock of that green infrastructure so the city can maximize planning efforts.

Infrastructure generally refers to the gray — pavement, roads, pipes, power lines, “all of the built environment that cities need to function,” Firehock said.

“But cities also need green infrastructure. They need tree canopies, clean drinking water, good soil. We need to plan for making sure we are maximizing that green infrastructure just as we do with gray infrastructure.”

The project was started this summer and will be complete by the end of the year. Wednesday, the group will hold a public meeting so city residents can weigh in with their opinions, which Firehock says is a critical part of the project.

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