Title
Urban Forest Management Plan Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss the upcoming development of a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan.
Report Issue:
Whether to discuss the upcoming development of a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Senior Environmental Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3957
Presenter:
Kym Foley, Senior Environmental Planner, Public Works Water Resources
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), to be completed by May 2028. This comprehensive roadmap will help the City achieve the following goals:
Protect or establish healthy tree canopy in areas where environmental, social, and economic benefits are the most equitable and impactful; and
Advance the City’s climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience outcomes.
The recommended policies, programs, and operational best practices strike a balance between environmental health and sustainable urban growth. A successful UFMP will ensure that both the benefits and challenges of tree canopy in urban, residential, and natural areas throughout the city are distributed equitably across Olympia’s communities.
The plan will be informed by the following key project activities:
Community Outreach and Engagement: An inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to gathering public input is essential to anchoring Olympia’s UFMP in the vision, needs, and experiences of Olympia’s communities and stakeholders. A variety of opportunities to engage will be offered to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and identities are heard and represented.
Existing Conditions and Best Practices Analysis: A comprehensive review of current land use, policies, programs, and operations across all departments doing work related to managing trees on both public and private properties. A comparison to updated urban forestry best p...
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