Council Board Member and Lead Scientist for the Cities Program with The Nature Conservancy in New York Dr. Michael Treglia shares this news from his team.
The Nature Conservancy in New York’s Cities Program recently released a report, The State of the Urban Forest in New York City.
This work is the first of its kind to examine the trees and their canopy in New York City, as well as the physical and social infrastructure that support them, from a holistic perspective. The report offers insights into the status and distribution, benefits, equity, policy, management, funding, and social dimensions of the urban forest throughout the city and, where possible, by jurisdiction.
The State of the Urban Forest in New York City was developed over more than two years, building on a wealth of research and data that is referenced throughout, and with feedback and input from experts in the field.
This report is complementary to the New York City Urban Forest Agenda, a roadmap for how to better protect, maintain, and grow the urban forest through planning, policy, research, stewardship, and local action. One of the key actions in the Agenda is to set the city on a path to achieve 30% canopy cover citywide by 2035 (from 22% as of 2017).
Together, The State of the Urban Forest in New York City and the New York City Urban Forest Agenda attest to the need and opportunities for New York City, and New Yorkers, to prioritize this critical resource. 🌳