Urban Forest Master Plan
Urban Forest Master Plan
The City of Asheville is working on an Urban Forest Master Plan that will bring the community together to learn and share ideas about our urban forest. Trees and tree canopy play a critical role in all communities by reducing heat, improving water and air quality, stabilizing slopes, providing food and forage for wildlife and humans, and adding to quality of life for everyone. The Urban Forest Master Plan will provide a roadmap of community-influenced recommendations to support a sustainable, resilient urban forest that thrives into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Happening Now
Hurricane Helene’s impact on Asheville’s urban canopy is currently being measured. As we continue work on the Urban Forest Master Plan post-Helene, we will look at changes in Asheville's tree canopy over time, and provide a health assessment of trees on public land (within parks and alongside roadways). This data will help to inform community conversations that we lead during the public engagement phase of this project.
We want to hear from You!
What are your thoughts and feelings about trees? Whether you rent or own property, are a business owner, school teacher, cook or firefighter, your thoughts matter! Take the 5-minute online survey and share it with your neighbors and friends. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of Asheville’s tree canopy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An urban forest refers to all the trees in a city's boundary, whether they are in a city owned park, a privately owned home, or anywhere else. The amount of land shaded by trees is referred to as the tree canopy. In Asheville, tree canopy was measured at 44.5% in 2019. This project includes a study that will measure current canopy coverage.
An Urban Forest Master Plan is a strategic plan to improve a community's urban forest. The plan is created by assessing the current health and distribution of Asheville's trees and by engaging with residents, stakeholders, and the community at large to determine needs, set goals, and provide recommendations for the steps needed to achieve those goals.
In 2019, the City of Asheville completed a study of its tree canopy and discovered that the tree canopy that shades the community has decreased by 6.4% in the last decade. Canopy is currently measured at 44.5%. This report was a call to action for Asheville residents who were concerned about continued losses. On June 11, 2024, City Council approved a contract with Urban Canopy Works, LLC, to develop an Urban Forest Master Plan to help the city expand and improve its urban forest.
Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow- Rhododendron Creek/Horney Heights Community Association
The Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow is an opportunity to hear about the project and provide feedback. We will come to your meeting to explain the UFMP process and what we know so far, and take your comments, questions, and concerns to include with all the public feedback we are collecting about our urban forest and your priorities. If you'd like to schedule us to come to your meeting, please contact us at avltrees@publicinput.com
Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow- Bee City USA
The Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow is an opportunity to hear about the project and provide feedback. We will come to your meeting to explain the UFMP process and what we know so far, and take your comments, questions, and concerns to include with all the public feedback we are collecting about our urban forest and your priorities. If you'd like to schedule us to come to your meeting, please contact us at avltrees@publicinput.com
Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow- Asheville Garden Club
The Urban Forest Master Plan Roadshow is an opportunity to hear about the project and provide feedback. We will come to your meeting to explain the UFMP process and what we know so far, and take your comments, questions, and concerns to include with all the public feedback we are collecting about our urban forest and your priorities. If you'd like to schedule us to come to your meeting, please contact us at avltrees@publicinput.com