This blog is a re-post of the tribute originally written by TreePeople.
The Urban Forest Loses a Giant: Mourning the Loss of Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne
Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne a highly respected scientist in the the urban forestry community and a dear friend of CURes Managing Director, Dr. Romolini passed away on January 6. Jarlath took the helm at the Spatial Analysis Lab at the University of Vermont of a globally respected lab that leveraged high-resolution Earth imagery to map the intricacies of land cover within our complex urban landscapes.
Jarlath’s impact extended far beyond the academic realm; his work became an invaluable resource for researchers, governments, and non-profit organizations worldwide. Los Angeles County, in particular, benefited from both the lab’s services and Jarlath’s personal involvement in conducting a comprehensive assessment of the city’s tree canopy. Over the past six years, the data generated by Jarlath’s lab has become ubiquitous, integrated into numerous applications, with TreePeople regularly fielding requests to share it for new public-serving projects.
Romolini reflects on the profound impact Jarlath’s data had on Los Angeles. Describing Jarlath’s influence on creating equity in urban forestry, Michele highlights the extensive use of the tree canopy data in various projects, including the development of the County’s Sustainability Plan. The data, accessed about 60,000 times, has played a crucial role in shaping priorities for tree planting in communities.
Jarlath’s recent discussions with TreePeople about developing new tree canopy maps for LA underscored his dedication to advancing the field. He shared a nuanced insight – the urban forest’s growth in small, incremental increments, a subtlety often overlooked by current technology. While the loss of Jarlath creates an impactful void, his humanity, vibrancy, and passion for the work have left an enduring legacy. Like the urban forest he so meticulously studied, Jarlath’s impact will continue to grow, manifested through the people and projects he inspired.
Jarlath’s passing reverberates across all dimensions of his life, leaving communities with a void that is impossible to ignore. His excellence, good humor, and humility were pillars that enriched every community fortunate enough to be touched by his presence. As we collectively remember Jarlath’s life, a beautiful remembrance by his Nordic club community and his obituary in the Burlington Free Press offer a richer accounting of the man he was. To carry on his legacy, Jarlath’s family has established a University of Vermont Foundation fund, providing an opportunity for all those influenced by his work to contribute to the growth of his enduring impact.