LA County's Chief Sustainability Office just released the discussion draft of Room to Grow, the first Community Forest Management Plan for the county.
Made up of trees on both public and private lands, the community or urban forest is an essential part of a healthy, thriving, and resilient community. When spread equitably and supported by other urban greening measures, a well-managed urban forest throughout Los Angeles County can deliver a wide range of benefits, such as healthier soils, biodiversity, habitats, shading from heat, and greater community health and well-being.
L.A. County's Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) recently released the discussion draft of Room to Grow, the first Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP) for the county which will serve as a blueprint to guide the planting of new trees and the protection of mature trees throughout the region. The public can review the plan, explore associated resources, and provide comments through the CFMP website. The Room to Grow plan is open for public comment through May 8th, 2024. Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the CSO will revise the document and prepare it for adoption by the Board of Supervisors later this year.
OurCounty, L.A. County's Sustainability Plan, calls for the development of a CFMP to ensure a climate-appropriate, healthy community tree canopy that is equitably distributed. A key goal for the CFMP is to address inequities in the distribution of trees and tree canopy as well as the benefits they offer. Research shows that lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color often have less tree canopy.
FULL STORY: Room to Grow: LA County Community Forest Management Plan
The Most Popular Tree on Google?
Meet Rodney: the Toronto tree getting rave reviews.
A Plan to Expand Tree Canopy Across Dayton
Dayton is developing an urban forest master plan, using a $2 million grant to expand its tree canopy, address decades of tree loss, and enhance environmental equity across the city.
Branching Out: Building Health and Equity Through Community Forestry
Los Angeles County’s Community Forest Management Plan seeks to create a healthier, more equitable community forest by expanding tree coverage, engaging communities, and building resilience to climate impacts.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)