On Arbor Day 2017, the Cleveland Tree Coalition announced the Cleveland Tree Canopy Goal, a proposal to grow Cleveland’s urban tree canopy cover from 19% to 30% by 2040. To kickstart tree planting and conservation efforts for this goal, we proposed an initial collective effort to reverse an estimated trend of tree loss by planting 50,000 trees by 2020.
In honor of Arbor Day 2018, we are releasing Reforesting The Forest City: The Cleveland Tree Canopy Goal. This document provides more detail about the rationale behind the Cleveland Tree Canopy Goal, explaining how it aligns with Cleveland Tree Plan’s (2015) suggested actions. It also details how, at 30% tree canopy cover, trees would provide a wealth of benefits to people who live, work, and play in Cleveland—benefits valued at $44 million per year.
The Cleveland Tree Canopy Goal envisions a greener Cleveland by setting bold, yet achievable, near-term and long-termtargets for the city’s urban forest. It unites public and private tree initiatives and provides a benchmark against which to measure our collective efforts.
We invite you to join us in growing Cleveland’s urban tree canopy to 30%!
