NYC Unveils First Urban Forest Plan

City leaders on Tuesday unveiled New York City’s first Urban Forest Plan, a long-term strategy to expand and protect the city’s tree canopy, with a focus on neighborhoods like Red Hook that have faced climate and infrastructure challenges.

The plan sets a goal of reaching 30% tree canopy by 2040, up from 23.4% today, or roughly 45,000 acres citywide. The announcement brought together leadership from City Hall, NYC Parks, NYCHA and nonprofit partners, followed by a stewardship activity on the campus to the Red Hook Houses.

“No matter where you live, work, or spend time outside, all New Yorkers know the immediate relief that comes from standing under the shade of a tree on a hot day. What may be less obvious is that trees are one of the most affordable and accessible ways to help adapt to a changing climate,” New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung said in a statement. “Yet for too long, New Yorkers of color in environmental justice communities have been left behind, lacking critical access to trees and all the benefits they provide."

Expanding tree coverage is intended to reduce extreme heat, improve air quality and better manage stormwater, while addressing long-standing environmental inequities. Environmental justice communities currently have about 19% canopy coverage, compared with 26% in other areas of the city.

At Red Hook Houses, the effort is closely tied to recovery from Hurricane Sandy. About 450 trees were removed after the storm to make way for flood protection infrastructure, reshaping the campus landscape and limiting shade for residents over the past decade, officials said.

Programs such as Trees for NYCHA are working to restore that loss while creating local workforce opportunities. Recent plantings and ongoing maintenance have involved partnerships with residents, community groups and youth employment programs focused on tree care.

The plan outlines steps to protect existing trees, expand plantings on streets and public spaces, encourage planting on private property and strengthen long-term stewardship efforts across neighborhoods.