Oakland Adopts Urban Forest Plan to Foster Equity and Environmental Justice

The Oakland City Council has unanimously approved the city’s first Urban Forest Plan, marking a historic commitment to the care, maintenance, and equitable growth of Oakland’s urban forest. The Plan, a 50-year roadmap, aims to preserve the city’s 68,000 public trees, increase tree canopy coverage, and address disparities in tree distribution. Developed with significant community input, the Plan aligns with Oakland’s Equitable Climate Action Plan and General Plan, emphasizing the importance of environmental justice. Key initiatives include tree maintenance, planting in underserved communities, updating ordinances, and fostering public-private partnerships to create green jobs and educational opportunities.

Oakland’s tree canopy, although more expansive than in many neighboring cities, has been declining and is unequally distributed, with frontline communities disproportionately affected. To address this, the Plan prioritizes tree planting in areas burdened by pollution, identified through CalEnviroScreen, and establishes an implementation team to secure funding and oversee its execution. A $1 million CAL FIRE grant supported the Plan’s creation, which included a Tree Canopy and Landcover Assessment, public engagement, and the planting of 700 trees in underserved neighborhoods. Nearly 2,500 residents contributed feedback to shape the Plan’s equitable vision.

With $8 million in USDA Forest Service funding secured through the Inflation Reduction Act, Oakland is set to implement key elements of the Plan over the next four years, including tree pruning and planting in priority areas. Public Works Director Josh Rowan highlighted the urgency of resuming proactive tree care, halted since the 2008 recession, to ensure cost-effective and sustainable urban forest management. The Plan not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also positions Oakland to pursue additional funding opportunities for long-term ecological and public health benefits.