Adam RollinsThe Fort Worth City Council is still considering an Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) that would preserve the city’s tree canopy, which helps mitigate stormwater, reduce heat, improve air quality and enhance public health.
The Texas Trees Foundation began developing the UFMP in 2022. The foundation developed 10 recommendations to ensure the city could manage, preserve and expand urban forests while strengthening urban forest programs.
The city would start by conducting an inventory of public trees in underserved and disadvantaged neighborhoods in low tree canopy areas. The city would support tree canopy and sustainability goals by changing tree ordinance and other policies to align with the UFMP’s objectives.
Departments would ensure they are adequately staffed and partner with local neighborhoods to manage and progress urban forestry efforts. In addition, the city would implement a public communications and education plan and develop a sustainable funding strategy. The city would create a multi-year planting and maintenance plan to work toward 30% canopy coverage by 2050.
The city would establish programs to identify and remediate threats to urban forestry health, such as pests and diseases. Finally, the city would strengthen, expand and increase awareness of programs or strategies that use or repurpose urban wood waste generated from public tree operations.
The City Council has not decided when to officially vote to adopt the plan’s final draft.
Photo courtesy of the Texas Trees Foundation
