In an effort to grow New York City’s tree canopy and address environmental equity, the City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, NYC Parks, Natural Areas Conservancy, and The Nature Conservancy, will host a NYC Urban Forest Community Kickoff event on Thursday, May 22 at Brownsville Heritage House in Brooklyn.
The event marks a major milestone in the rollout of the city’s Urban Forest Plan, which aims to expand New York City’s total tree canopy from 23% to 30% coverage across both public and private properties. This increased coverage is expected to boost public health, improve neighborhood equity, and deliver broader climate benefits across the five boroughs.
The Brownsville event will provide local community members with a chance to learn more about the plan, meet its architects, and offer feedback. Organizers hope to encourage neighborhood involvement in shaping the initiative and promote volunteer opportunities for residents to help care for the city’s urban trees.
“This event is about introducing, educating, and including the Brooklyn community,” organizers said. “It’s a chance for residents to share ideas and get engaged as volunteers to care for trees in their own neighborhoods.”
The Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (Pitkin Ave BID) will be the featured community group at the event. Known for its quality-of-life initiatives in Brownsville, the BID plays a key role in local economic and environmental development. Dasia Jenkins, Community Engagement Coordinator with Pitkin Ave BID, will speak directly to residents about the relevance of the plan for Brownsville.
Notable speakers will include Julia Eiferman, Senior Policy Advisor with the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice; Dasia Jenkins of Pitkin Ave BID; and Ted Enoch of City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks’ Catalyst & Urban Forest Programs. Enoch will also be available for on-site press interviews during the event.
The NYC urban forest includes more than 7 million trees across a variety of environments—from sidewalks and city parks to natural forests and private lots. The forest is supported by a dynamic mix of physical and social infrastructure, and it plays a critical role in air quality, stormwater management, and neighborhood cooling during extreme heat events.
To register for the Urban Forest Plan: Community Kickoff event, go here.
