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Agenda Item
4 25-0177 Subject: Adoption Of The 2024 Oakland Urban Forest Plan
From: Oakland Public Works Department
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Adopting The 2024 Oakland Urban Forest Plan Including The Recommended "No Net Loss" Tree Canopy Goal To Maintain An Estimated 20.6% Canopy Cover That Requires Tree Planting In Prioritized Disadvantaged Census Tracts With Inequitable Canopy Cover, And That The City Administrator Or Designee Establish, Within One Year, An Implementation Team For The Purpose Of Implementing The Urban Forest Plan, Including Identification And Securing Of Funding, That The City Administrator Or Designee Develop A Schedule To Update Tree Related Ordinances In The Oakland Municipal Code Consistent With The Goals And Recommendations Of The Adopted Urban Forest Plan, And Adopting Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act Findings
I wholeheartedly support the adoption of the Oakland Urban Forest Plan. The thoughtful increase in tree canopy and equitable greening will contribute to a healthier future environmental outcome for all of Oakland. Attention to intentional greening is crucial to disrupting predicted environmental crises that would severely impact the livability of Oakland neighborhoods that lack sufficient tree canopy. The work outlined in the plan is funded and currently being undertaken; the adoption of the plan has no current fiscal impact. The adoption of Oakland's Urban Forest Plan is a low lift with an extreme payout that will benefit Oakland well into the future.
ayodele nzinga,
author of the forward to the Oakland Urban Forest Plan,
Poet Laureate of Oakland
I support the plan because it will improve Oakland’s urban forest by addressing hazardous tree conditions, maintain species diversity of the forest, and equitably distribute tree resources to neighborhoods that have been short-changed in the past.
There are many reasons why a diverse urban forest best serves Oakland and every animal that lives here:
• Climate change requires a diverse urban forest because a more diverse forest is more resilient. Sudden Oak Death has killed millions of oaks throughout California in the past 25 years. We can’t predict which tree species will survive the warming climate. Therefore, we must hedge our bets by planting a diverse forest.
• The pre-settlement vegetation of Oakland was 98% grass, shrub, and marshland. (https://www.nrs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/jrnl/1993/ne_1993_nowak_002.pdf) There were only 10 species of trees that are native to Oakland. There are now over 500 tree species in Oakland.
• Most of the trees that are native to Oakland are not suitable as street trees. Some are too big. Some are shrubs rather than trees. The branching habit of some native trees are too low to be street trees, which must not obstruct sidewalks or streets.
• Growing conditions where trees are needed in Oakland are often not suitable for native trees. That’s why they didn’t grow there prior to settlement. Oakland’s urban forest is predominantly non-native because they are adapted to our growing conditions.
This plan is an excellent series of steps towards a more diverse, healthier, and more equitable urban forest. I wholeheartedly support the adoption of Oakland's Urban Forestry Plan.
Erys Gagnez
Tree Care Specialist
Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation
I support the adoption of the 2024 Oakland Urban Forest Plan, and commend the community members and City Staff who have worked to produce this important plan. Thank you for your efforts, and thank you for giving Oakland residents a chance for a healthier future.
Alex Pinto
ISA Certified Arborist WE-15192A
Community Greening Program Manager
Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation
I wholeheartedly support the adoption of the Oakland Urban Forest Plan. The thoughtful increase in tree canopy and equitable greening will contribute to a healthier future environmental outcome for all of Oakland. Attention to intentional greening is crucial to disrupting predicted environmental crises that would severely impact the livability of Oakland neighborhoods that lack sufficient tree canopy. The work outlined in the plan is funded and currently being undertaken; the adoption of the plan has no current fiscal impact. The adoption of Oakland's Urban Forest Plan is a low lift with an extreme payout that will benefit Oakland well into the future.
ayodele nzinga,
author of the forward to the Oakland Urban Forest Plan,
Poet Laureate of Oakland
I support the plan because it will improve Oakland’s urban forest by addressing hazardous tree conditions, maintain species diversity of the forest, and equitably distribute tree resources to neighborhoods that have been short-changed in the past.
There are many reasons why a diverse urban forest best serves Oakland and every animal that lives here:
• Climate change requires a diverse urban forest because a more diverse forest is more resilient. Sudden Oak Death has killed millions of oaks throughout California in the past 25 years. We can’t predict which tree species will survive the warming climate. Therefore, we must hedge our bets by planting a diverse forest.
• The pre-settlement vegetation of Oakland was 98% grass, shrub, and marshland. (https://www.nrs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/jrnl/1993/ne_1993_nowak_002.pdf) There were only 10 species of trees that are native to Oakland. There are now over 500 tree species in Oakland.
• Most of the trees that are native to Oakland are not suitable as street trees. Some are too big. Some are shrubs rather than trees. The branching habit of some native trees are too low to be street trees, which must not obstruct sidewalks or streets.
• Growing conditions where trees are needed in Oakland are often not suitable for native trees. That’s why they didn’t grow there prior to settlement. Oakland’s urban forest is predominantly non-native because they are adapted to our growing conditions.
Mary McAllister, Conservation Sense and Nonsense
This plan is an excellent series of steps towards a more diverse, healthier, and more equitable urban forest. I wholeheartedly support the adoption of Oakland's Urban Forestry Plan.
Erys Gagnez
Tree Care Specialist
Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation
I support the adoption of the 2024 Oakland Urban Forest Plan, and commend the community members and City Staff who have worked to produce this important plan. Thank you for your efforts, and thank you for giving Oakland residents a chance for a healthier future.
Alex Pinto
ISA Certified Arborist WE-15192A
Community Greening Program Manager
Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation