Student Maps Tree Canopy at Public Libraries

Thomas Scopino, a master's student in Environmental Science and Policy at Pace University, used his academic training to measure tree canopy coverage at New York Public Library locations. Through the university's Community Impact Funded Internship Program, he worked on an urban climate infrastructure project in partnership with New York City government officials.

His primary task was to determine the scope of the tree canopy at sites managed by the library system. He also explored how that greenery could be protected and expanded. Scopino argued for the value of this work as part of the city's goal to increase the urban canopy to 30 percent by 2040. He noted that this target has survived multiple mayoral administrations.

Scopino identified a key challenge in the role: prioritizing the expansion and protection of the tree canopy across various city agencies. He had to advocate for this goal while other departments focused on needs such as housing.

The intern found that the library system plays a larger role in city infrastructure than he expected. The New York Public Library operates more than 90 locations across the city. During periods of extreme heat, all branches serve as cooling centers. This function is critical for residents in areas where air conditioning is limited.

Scopino learned that the library balances this power usage with demand response efforts on the city's grid. The goal is to prevent rolling blackouts while maintaining safe indoor temperatures for patrons.

He applied skills from courses in geographic information systems, environmental statistical analysis, and sustainability economics to the project. He built GIS data sets to visualize ecological surveys. He also performed statistical analysis to ascribe ecosystem service values to the tree canopy. This data helped create an economic case for preserving urban trees.

Scopino said the internship shifted his focus from hard science to practical solutions like energy efficiency. He worked closely with the library's energy team, which changed his outlook on sustainability. He stated that the experience prepared him for a potential career in the corporate sector rather than only in field engagement work.