New York City Unveils First Urban Forest Plan to Expand Tree Canopy to 30% by 2040
New York City has launched its first Urban Forest Plan (UFP), a comprehensive strategy aimed at expanding the city's tree canopy coverage to 30% by 2040. This initiative, led by the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) in collaboration with NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and several conservancy groups, seeks to add an average of 700 acres of tree canopy annually for the next 14 years. The plan focuses on preserving existing trees on both public and private land, planting new ones, and engaging the community in stewardship. Currently, New York City's tree canopy covers 23.4% of its land, with significant disparities across boroughs; Staten Island has 33.4%, while Brooklyn and Manhattan each have 19.5%. Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, which often face higher pollution levels, have a lower average canopy coverage of 19% compared to 26% in non-EJ areas. 
