Urban Forest Management Action Plan
San Diego’s Trees Provide Many Benefits
The City of San Diego received a CalFire planning grant to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan. City staff, along with consulting urban foresters, key stakeholders and the Community Forest Advisory Board are in the process of developing the plan. A draft plan is expected in early 2016.
Draft Urban Forest Management Action Plan
2015 Public Stakeholder meetings, Monday evenings from 6pm to 8pm
- September 22, 2014 and January 26, 2015
University Town Center (UTC) Forum Hall
4315 La Jolla Village Drive (above Wells Fargo Bank) - September 29, 2014 and February 2, 2015
Balboa Park, War Memorial Bldg
September Meetings: Review Objectives and Potential Actions
- September Stakeholder Presentation (PDF)
- Draft Objectives (PDF)
January/February Meetings: Review Plan Outline, Plan Objectives and Actions
Urban forest management plans are developed through the collaborative efforts of many people. An important part of developing the plan is understanding the needs and views of various stakeholders and interested parties. Successful plans require public input. The desires, attitudes, and perceptions of stakeholders, including the public, and decision–makers will have a large impact on the urban forest plan.
A vigorous and engaged urban forestry program is critical to meeting San Diego’s commitment to climate change, carbon sequestration, stormwater reduction, and water conservation. With these goals in mind, the city has will develop a long-range urban forest management plan to guide the city’s urban forest into the future.
Urban forests contribute to San Diegans’ quality of life. Trees that are nurtured within an urban environment, such as San Diego, produce benefits that far exceed the cost of planting and care during the trees’ lifetime. Environmental and aesthetic benefits, such as energy savings, stormwater runoff reduction, cleaner air, and higher property values, are consistently many times greater than tree care costs.
Healthy trees mean healthy people. Trees remove many pollutants from the atmosphere, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Each year, 100 large, mature trees have the potential to:
- Remove 7 tons of carbon dioxide.
- Remove 328 pounds of other air pollutants.
- Catch approximately 215,000 gallons of rainwater.
Healthy trees mean healthy communities. Statistics show that tree-filled neighborhoods:
- Are safer and more sociable.
- Help to reduce body and mind stress.
Healthy trees mean better business. In tree-lined business districts, shoppers report:
- More frequent shopping.
- Longer shopping trips.
- A willingness to pay more for parking.
Healthy trees mean homeowner savings. One well-placed large shade tree can provide an average savings of $9 on home air conditioning costs each year. Trees provide enormous cooling benefits.
It is important to keep San Diego’s urban forest thriving. When more trees are removed than planted, the canopy cover is reduced and the benefits we enjoy from trees decline.
For additional information regarding the Urban Forest Management Action Plan, please contact Jeremy Barrick, Urban Forestry Program Manager at (619) 236-6153 or JBarrick@sandiego.gov.