The City of Sacramento has launched the draft Sacramento Urban Forest Plan for public review and comment.
This document will become the City’s primary planning tool for the protection, expansion, maintenance, sustainability, and enhancement of trees in Sacramento.
“Trees are essential infrastructure that help our city function by helping clean our air and keep temperatures cool,” said Rachel Patten, the City’s Sustainability Program Specialist. “They provide many benefits to the community, so it’s important that we’re planning for them. The long-term health and success of the urban forest requires ongoing and intentional management and action.”
The draft plan is now live for review and comment through a self-guided online workshop on the City’s website. Comments will be accepted over the next two months and closes June 21.
The plan calls for increasing citywide tree canopy from 19 percent to 35 percent by 2045 which requires planting and maintaining an additional 25,000 trees per year.
Sacramento’s urban forest is made up of an estimated 1 million trees, extending across public property, private land, residential yards, parks, natural areas, streetscapes, schools, and commercial businesses throughout the city. Only about 100,000 are maintained by the City.
Planting efforts to hit the canopy goal will require engagement from the City, public, and other entities. Efforts will be prioritized in neighborhoods with the lowest canopy levels, highest heat exposure, and most socio-economically vulnerable residents.
The release of the draft plan aligns with the recent approval of the 2040 General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
The CAAP outlines policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. It also establishes Sacramento’s greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 and establishes a climate action goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
City staff will attend and host events in neighborhoods across the city in the coming months to hear feedback on the draft plan. Stay up to date with the plan’s progress by signing up for email updates.