Wake County had 54.2% tree canopy cover in 2020. | Photo by RALtoday
Wake County released a report dedicated to the area’s tree canopy type and health over the last 10 years. The Land Cover Analysis and Tree Canopy Assessment details Wake County’s tree stats, like carbon absorption and identifies opportunities for growth, both figuratively and literally. Let’s dive into the details of this evergreen report.
Wake County’s tree population works hard to purify our air and water supply. According to the report, our local trees annually remove over 11,000 tons of pollutants from the air, absorb 414,000 tons of carbon dioxide, and soak up 8.1 billion gallons of stormwater, which is equivalent to the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in 30 hours.
The report identifies planting opportunities and ways to branch out and expand Wake County’s land cover and tree canopy to help reduce the amount of pollutants in our environment. Some initiatives include planting more trees in prime areas for planting. Learn more about the City of Raleigh’s environmental initiatives.
The county lost 11,000 acres of its canopy between 2010 and 2020, but this study identified over 400,000 individual potential planting areas totaling 80,000 acres across Wake County. Check out this interactive map to learn more about where we can and need to plant trees in our community. For example, areas in west downtown Raleigh have a high priority and need more trees.
The City of Raleigh is planting 1,000 street trees over the next three years in support of Raleigh’s Strategic Plan through Raleigh’s Street Tree Equity Project. These urban forest tree plantings are taking place in January 2024 and January 2025 with over 300 trees planted each time.
Raleigh tree-lovers can volunteer at community events, including litter sweeps, tree plantings, and other environmental service opportunities.
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 6
It’s A Barbie Party | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The English Garden Raleigh Florist, 6308 Angus Dr., Ste. A, Raleigh | $55 | Make a floral bouquet fit for Barbie herself — all blooms, dolls, and tools will be provided.
Caamp | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $65-$70 | Enjoy some Americana folk tunes with this Ohio-founded band.
Thursday, Sept. 7
Thriving Thursday — Zumba by Aya | Thursday, Sept. 7 | Fenton Square, 21 Fenton Main St., Cary | Free | Bring a mat and water to this dance workout with interval training; all fitness levels are welcome.
Friday, Sept. 8
Weekend Kickoff Party | Friday, Sept. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | Umbrella in the Garden, 12825 Norwood Rd., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy non-alcoholic concoctions to start your weekend off right.
“Paint & Sip!” Intro to Acrylic Dutch Pouring | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $65 | Come dressed for mess for this artsy workshop.
Saturday, Sept. 9
Herbarium Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10-11 a.m. | Raleigh City Farm, 800 N. Blount St., Raleigh | $10 | Take a walk through the garden and learn how to arrange pressed flowers and plant materials — materials are provided.
Visit Raleigh Fire Museum | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Raleigh Fire Museum, 105 Keeter Center Dr., Raleigh | Free | This museum honoring the fire history of Raleigh is only open once per month.
R&D Marty Party Beer Release Party | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 4-9 p.m. | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | $18-55 | Celebrate this new beer with local bands and Canes player Jordan Martinook.
Raleigh and the surrounding area may reach record high temperatures this week. Keep yourself safe and cool by staying inside, visiting local cooling centers, and drinking lots of water.
Drink
Bond Brothers Beer Company is returning to RDU in early 2024. The Cary-based brewery previously opened an airport location just before the COVID-19 pandemic and departed in March 2020. The next time you fly out of Terminal 2, try the bev specially made for the brewery’s return to RDU called No Turbulence IPA, which was recently released at Cantina Grill. (Triangle Business Journal)
Announced
The Rialto Theatre will kick off its fall music lineup early with a jazz day party on Saturday, Sept. 9 as part of Hopscotch Music Festival. From 12 to 5 p.m., jam out to four different jazz groups in this historic theater at no cost. Plus, the theater will have fresh merch for sale.
Travel
The FAA approved RDU’s runway replacement plans. The current runway will remain in operation during construction of the new 10,639 foot runway, which should open by 2028. In a press release, Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority called this runway “the most important two miles of pavement in the Triangle.”
Transit
GoTriangle will be awarded $900,000 for critical transit improvements by US Rep. Deborah Ross this Friday, Sept. 8. These funds will be used to improve GoTriangle bus stations, including bus bays, sidewalk connections, ADA ramps, and crosswalks.
Civic
Gov. Roy Cooper named a new NCDOT secretary, Joseph Hopkins. Hopkins has 30 years of experience in the Triangle division office of the department and will take over Oct. 1. (The News & Observer)
Arts
This news is music to our ears. Students in the Raleigh area can take tuition-free violin, viola, and cello classes starting Tuesday, Sept. 12. Instruments and any other materials are provided by the Raleigh Music Collective. Students in third through 12th grade can be registered here.
Jobs
The Raleigh Dept. of Transportation is holding a free job fair this Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2550 Operations Way. Hiring managers will conduct on-site interviews for maintenance, equipment operator, and season leaf collector positions, so don’t forget to bring your resume.
Cause
Head to Walnut Creek Wetland Park on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. for a trash cleanup — no litterbugs allowed. Volunteers have cleaned up 60 tons of trash from the wetlands since the 1990s, and you can contribute in picking up even more at the Big Sweep.
Beauty
Looking to improve your skin quality without undergoing extensive surgery?PDO Thread Lifts stimulate your skin’s natural healing properties through collagen production, and work to lift + tighten from underneath the skin. Bonus: Results can last one to three years. See for yourself.*
Eat
You deserve something delicious this weekend. Put this brunch star together Friday evening, let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven Saturday morning for a sweet, rich, decadent start to your day.*
Shop
Fall is for refreshing your wardrobe — and making sure your ride looks fresh, too. For a limited time, Autobell is offering the first month of unlimited car washes for just $5 with the purchase of any Unlimited plan.*
Finance
A Banksy got everyday investors 32% returns? You read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bankthanks to the fine-art investing platform Masterworks. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? RALtoday readers canskip the waitlist and join.†*
Rock out in September at Hopscotch Music Festival. | Photo by Garrett Poulos
Downtown Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival is returning tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 7, through Saturday, Sept. 9 with stages in the heart of Raleigh and day parties throughout the city.
In addition to main stage musical guests, don’t forget to check out day parties happening at multiple Raleigh venues. From NC State’s D.H. Hill Jr. Library to hot new restaurant Ajja and Transfer Co. Food Hall to Ruby Deluxe, local spots will be popping off every day of the festival. Stick around on Sunday, Sept. 10 for even more tunes at Slims, Night Rider, and The Pour House Music Hall.
Skate Raleigh will have a pop-up booth located near Kings and Neptunes Parlour with rollerblade and skateboard competitions + bites from Wandering Wolf food truck.
Passes are on sale for $199 and $375 — grab tickets while you still can.
Shop
Shop 9.6.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Outdoors
Before you start cheering for your favorite team, make sure you have the perfect game day gear. From sunglasses to earrings, shop Six & Main’s tailgate collection.
Fun Fact
Looking for a new coffee, candle, or moisturizer? We’ve got you covered. Shop some of Six & Main’s new arrivals. There’s something for everyone.
Drink
The internet’s favorite tumbler — the 40-oz. Stanley Quencher — is in stock in cute colors like pool, jade, and orchid.
Health
Four Sigmatic’s organic protein powder is the ultimate smoothie booster. It contains 18 grams of protein and 1500 milligrams of adaptogens per serving — nourishing your mind + body.
Wellness
It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.
We included not one, but two exciting pieces of RDU news today. If you’re like me and prepping your fall + winter travel plans, take a peek at our RDU guide before takeoff. My favorite offering is La Farm’s Terminal 2 location.
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