DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County is asking for public feedback as it works to update its tree protection ordinance for the first time in more than 20 years.

The county’s current tree protection ordinance was put in place in 1999 with the goal of preserving or replacing trees as part of land development.

A recent Tree Canopy Study found development accounts for about 80% of the county’s tree canopy loss.

“We can’t protect everything, that’s not realistic; but we can do a better job of valuing the existing canopy we have,” conservationist Kathryn Kolb, who is working with the county on the new ordinance, said.

County Commissioner Ted Terry said officials want tree canopy protection to be considered as DeKalb continues to grow.

“We want the tree canopy protection to be part of that growth. We want it to be something that adds value,” Terry said.

Kolb said involving arborists earlier in the development process could help preserve more trees.

“When the builder can begin the process with the arborist before there is a significant investment in a plan, that’s when we can really save trees,” Kolb said.

The county is holding a series of public meetings as it gathers feedback on revisions to the ordinance. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the Tobie Grant Recreation Center in Scottdale.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Veronica Waters contributed to this story.