East Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan

SFEI is partnering with the City of East Palo Alto, the non-profit urban forestry group Canopy, and HortScience | Bartlett Consulting Divisions of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company (H|BC) to develop an Urban Forest Master Plan for the city. The project is funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection grant “From Gray to Green: An Urban Forest Master Plan for East Palo Alto,” as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

This innovative plan quantifies the existing tree canopy in the city, creates 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 also incorporates the knowledge and experience of city staff and 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 achievement of the goals. In addition, Canopy will plant 100 trees in the city to expand the existing urban forest.

The “From Gray to Green: An Urban Forest Master Plan for East Palo Alto” project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low- income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.