Urban Forest Master Plan (Adopted 2022)

On April 19, 2022, the East Palo Alto City Council adopted an Urban Forest Master Plan (“UFMP”) to provide a roadmap towards a shared vision for the future of the city’s tree canopy. As directed by City Council, City staff and consultants looked at all current city ordinances related to trees and concluded it is preferable to have one clear ordinance for public trees and one for private trees. City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Urban Forest Master Plan and recommended updates to the City's tree ordinances at the April 19, 2022 City Council meeting.  This is a terrific outcome and a real step forward for urban forestry in the city.  You can find the meeting recording, submitted Plan, and approved ordinance updates here.

Management of the City's tree program is divided between the Public Works Department and the Planning Division of the Community and Economic Development Department, Planning. City trees are managed with public funds and overseen by Public Works, while the Planning Division manages the bulk of the private tree protections through the evaluation and review of tree removal permits. Most tree planting in the city is done by the nonprofit Canopy. 

Why Trees? 

Urban trees can provide cost effective, natural solutions to challenges facing the city. For example, by providing shade, the urban tree canopy can cool down buildings, saving energy needed for cooling and reducing the risk of heat-related health issues such as heat stroke. Shaded sidewalks and outdoor spaces can allow people to spend time outside during warm weather, exercising, socializing, biking, or walking. As temperatures in the Bay Area increase due to climate change, cooling by trees can be an important climate adaptation strategy. 

What is an Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP)?

The Urban Forest Master Plan is a document that will guide urban forestry in East Palo Alto to maximize long-term climate, biodiversity and health benefits for the community and to ensure that urban forest management aligns with the City’s strategic goals. This plan highlights existing needs and resources and presents recommendations to work toward a shared vision for a robust and equitable urban forest over the next 40 years.

The City’s first UFMP addresses the protection, maintenance, sustainability, and enhancement of EPA’s tree canopy. The plan quantifies the existing tree canopy in the city, recommends a revised tree removal permit policy, and evaluates the potential to improve ecosystem services, ecological resilience, and adaptation to climate change. Science-based linkages between urban trees and outcomes for health, biodiversity, and livability show the value of growing and maintaining the urban canopy throughout the city. The project incorporates the knowledge and experience of city staff and the attitudes of community members toward trees. The plan proposes goals to guide future canopy growth as well as a management plan, budget assessment, and design guidance to support the achievement of the goals. 

The Urban Forest Master Plan was funded by a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and developed by the City, San Francisco Estuary Institute, HortScience | Bartlett Consulting, and Canopy, in consultation with members of the community.