The livability of our city depends on a healthy and well cared-for urban forest. It provides protection from the heat, improves mental and physical health, and it is a key tool in combating climate change. But between 2008 and 2018, Philadelphia’s urban forest shrunk by 6%. That’s equal to 1,000 football fields worth of tree canopy. And the tree canopy we do have is not fairly distributed across the city. Some neighborhoods have under 5% tree canopy, and others have 45% or more.
The Philly Tree Plan is a response to these challenges. It is a 10-year strategic plan for the growth and care of our urban forest. Three key values guide the Plan: environmental justice, community engagement, and sustainability. The Philly Tree Plan aims to bring the benefits of trees to communities that need them the most, in the ways that support them the best…
The Philly Tree Plan has recommendations to grow and care for the urban forest across the entire city. But there are areas of the city where extra support can make a big difference. The City and non-profit partners will focus on working with these priority communities. These residents stand to gain the most benefits from increased tree canopy.
Successful implementation of the Philly Tree Plan requires collaboration and trust between stakeholders. The Plan includes a roadmap which identifies short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations. There is an agency or organization prepared to to work with communities
to lead implementation for each recommendation.
Philly Tree Plan: Growing Our Urban Forest
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