To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
RECOMMENDATION
To Review and Comment on the Urban Forest Plan and Implementation.
From: Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report summarizes current efforts to update the Urban Forest Plan (UFP) and seeks City Council feedback on the draft UFP vision, goals, and strategies, as well as on the phased implementation of the canopy goals. The UFP will update the City of Alameda's (City) existing 2010 Master Street Tree Plan (MSTP) and expand the scope to include park trees, and trees on private and other non-City of Alameda properties. Thus, Alameda's MSTP will become the Urban Forest Plan.
BACKGROUND
In October 2022, City Council approved entering into an agreement with Dudek to prepare a comprehensive citywide UFP. An update and expansion of the 2010 Master Street Tree Plan as an Urban Forest Plan and expanding the urban forest was identified as an action item in the City's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) for the purpose of achieving goals related to carbon sequestration. This draft UFP is intended to guide management of the urban forest for the next ten years.
Trees and Environmental Benefits
Trees provide many benefits to Alameda. Trees enhance the mental and physical health of city residents and beautify and define neighborhood characteristics. Trees enhance the environment by removing pollution and cleaning the air. Trees reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality and support wildlife. As temperatures increase due to climate change, trees sequester carbon, provide shade, and reduce the surrounding air temperature and thus building energy consumption for cooling. Shaded surfaces can be 20 to 40 degrees cooler than unshaded areas. These services contribute directly to community members' quality of life and public health.
Trees also sequester carbon that contributes to climate change. Alameda's urban forest removes 447 tons of carbon dioxide ...
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