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EL CERRITO URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN Urban forests grown without foresight or planning create high maintenance requirements and cost burdens. A well-managed urban forest, however, can be economically and environmentally sustainable and a highly-visible source of community pride. ---PAGE BREAK--- EL CERRITO URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN What is an urban forest? • A collection of trees growing within an urban area. What is an urban forest plan? • An action plan for the standard of performance of the City’s urban forest and how to plan and manage the public trees within the City. ---PAGE BREAK--- Build a healthy, extensive urban forest that provides the City of El Cerrito with social, environmental, and economic benefits. Urban Forest Purpose ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Urban Forest Benefits Creating a Sense of Place Provide connections to the natural world. Improve city legibility Facilitate a sense of community ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Urban Forest Benefits Creating a Sense of Place Provide connections to the natural world. Improve city legibility Facilitate a sense of community Color, texture, seasonal change Natural cycles Soften urban materials and forms ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Urban Forest Benefits Creating a Sense of Place Provide connections to the natural world. Improve city legibility Facilitate a sense of community Create memorable entries, districts and routes ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Urban Forest Benefits Creating a Sense of Place Provide connections to the natural world. Improve city legibility Facilitate a sense of community Create identifiable and loved social spaces Sense of shared purpose and identity ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Urban Forest Benefits Balancing Environmental Impacts Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect Reduce Airborne Pollutants Sequester Carbon Dioxide ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Urban Forest Benefits Balancing Environmental Impacts Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect Reduce Airborne Pollutants Sequester Carbon Dioxide Reduce surface and ambient temperatures Reduce smog formation Reduce energy use ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Urban Forest Benefits Balancing Environmental Impacts Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect Reduce Airborne Pollutants Sequester Carbon Dioxide Hold particulate matter on tree surfaces Reduce chronic respiratory disorders, lung cancer, mortality ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Urban Forest Benefits Balancing Environmental Impacts Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect Reduce Airborne Pollutants Sequester Carbon Dioxide Storage of carbon dioxide in tree biomass Sequestration rates affected by location, age, species composition, conditions Highly dependant on tree health ---PAGE BREAK--- Economic Urban Forest Benefits Economic Vitality Increase Property Values Attract Business Contribute to City’s financial standing ---PAGE BREAK--- Economic Urban Forest Benefits Economic Vitality Increase Property Values Attract Business Contribute to City’s financial standing Increase property values 10% Increase commercial property rental rates 7% ---PAGE BREAK--- Economic Urban Forest Benefits Economic Vitality Increase Property Values Attract Business Contribute to City’s financial standing Consumer preference for places with trees Willing to travel further, stay longer Willing to pay 9-12% more for goods and services ---PAGE BREAK--- Economic Urban Forest Benefits Economic Vitality Increase Property Values Attract Business Contribute to City’s financial standing Potential type of infrastructure asset for purposes of GASB 34 ---PAGE BREAK--- Existing Conditions Width of Planting Area Presence/Type of Overhead Utilities Sidewalk Condition Species’ Scientific Name Diameter of Trunk Height of Tree Spread of Tree Health of Tree ---PAGE BREAK--- El Cerrito Urban Forest Management Plan - Goals and Actions ---PAGE BREAK--- 1. Establish and maintain a citywide commitment to a healthy, growing urban forest in the City of El Cerrito. 2. Integrate the principles of the Urban Forest Management Plan into subsequent documents required by or in support of the City of El Cerrito General Plan. 3. Provide consistent funding for urban forestry efforts that reflects the importance of the urban forest to the public. 4. Provide excellent professional maintenance for the City’s urban forest. Goals ---PAGE BREAK--- EL CERRITO URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN