Developing an Urban Forest Master Plan
City Council heard a presentation this Tuesday on a proposed effort to establish a Long Beach Forest Master Plan. The plan would help the city identify and address the environmental benefits of the urban forest within unique public environments.
Specifically, the plan will address City trees within public rights-of-way, City parks, recreational facilities and the Harbor district.
The City will be using a consultant to assist in the process. I have asked that the consultant meet with me and any other interested residents who are concerned about how we preserve our urban forest. I have also asked for a public information effort to education residents on the care and feeding of city trees. Finally, I have asked the consultant to look into two possibilities: training our residents to become citizen arborists. This is used extensively in New York as that city faces (as does Long Beach) revenue short falls that prevent the city from keeping up with municipal tree trimming. The second aspect of this effort should be using our youth to help with an inventory of city trees. This is a great environmental project and we should involve them as we try to get a better sense of our important natural assets — our city trees.
