New York City Council Passes Legislation to Expand Urban Tree Canopy and Combat Climate Change

In a move applauded by environmentalists and sustainability advocates, the New York City Council passed Int. 1065 on Thursday, a groundbreaking bill aimed at expanding the city’s tree canopy cover from its current 22% to an ambitious 30%.

The legislation, officially titled “An Urban Forest Plan,” not only sets forth an ambitious goal for increasing tree canopy coverage but also mandates the creation of a comprehensive urban forest master plan. This master plan, to be submitted to the City Council by July 31, 2024, will play a pivotal role in identifying the causes of urban forest loss and establishing concrete goals to both expand and safeguard New York City’s vital urban forest.

The term “urban forest” encompasses all trees and shade-producing vegetation within the city, including those not under the direct ownership or jurisdiction of the commissioner, as outlined in the bill.

The 7 million trees in New York City’s urban forest, however, are held on both private and public land. Governed by multiple agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, New York City Housing Authority, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Transit, among others — Int. 1065 seeks to unify these disparate groups under one comprehensive master plan.

A spokesperson for the Department of Parks underscored the importance of this legislation, stating, “As the City deals with the effects of climate change and severe weather, it’s more important than ever to grow our urban forest to absorb stormwater, help clean our air, and provide essential shade for our neighborhoods.”

The New York City Environmental Justice Association (NYC-EJA), a prominent advocacy group, played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of Int. 1065. They stressed the significance of equitable distribution of the tree canopy, emphasizing that neighborhoods with more trees and parks experience…