PRK-2.01 - Urban Forest Plan

Purpose

WHEREAS, Portland's urban forest is essential green infrastructure and a critical feature of the urban environment which contributes to the public health and wellbeing of the city's residents, provides habitat for wildlife, promotes the stability and health of its natural systems, and delivers significant livability and economic benefits; and   

WHEREAS, on June 30, 2020, the City of Portland declared a climate emergency (Resolution 37494) stating "a human-made climate emergency also threatens our city, our region, our state, our nation, humanity and the natural world, and that such an emergency calls for an immediate mobilization effort initiating greater action, resources, collaboration and new approaches to restore a safe climate"; and  

WHEREAS, the risks presented by Portland's changing climate necessitate urgent mitigation and adaptation actions to protect public health and well-being and the stability of trees, plants, wildlife, and natural systems; and

WHEREAS, inequitable access to the public health and climate resilience benefits trees provide is an urgent environmental justice issue which disproportionally impacts historically underserved communities in Portland; and

WHEREAS, Portland's first Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) was adopted in 1995 by Ordinance 168979; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 the Council adopted the 2004 Urban Forest Management Plan by Resolution No. 36189, which the City has been implementing over the past two decades; and

WHEREAS, per Portland City Code, the Urban Forest Plan is intended to be updated every ten years; and 

WHEREAS, in 2021, City Council directed (Resolution 37473) Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) to update the 2004 Urban Forest Management Plan and subsequently use the new plan to inform updates to the Tree Code (Title 11); and

WHEREAS, PP&R created the Portland Urban Forest Plan in partnership with other City bureaus and regional agencies who engage or impact Portland's urban forest. Partner bureaus will help implement the plan and include the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Water Bureau, Bureau of Environmental Services, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Portland Permitting & Development, Portland Fire & Rescue, Bureau of Emergency Management; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Urban Forest Plan was advised by a geographically and demographically diverse Community Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from across Portland; and

WHEREAS, the Plan is deeply informed by community guidance received from Portlanders living across the city including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, older adults, people earning lower incomes, local business owners, tree care providers, industrial and commercial organizations, environmental organizations, homeowners and renters, and City of Portland advisory groups; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Urban Forest Plan presents a new vision, goals, and tree canopy targets to guide City programs, services, and investments related to the urban forest; and

WHEREAS, the Portland Urban Forest Plan includes actions to preserve, care for, and expand tree canopy, reduce the cost of tree care and maintenance for residents, and enhance collaboration with Portlanders. These actions will reduce the impacts of urban heat and improve public health, safety, and water quality. They will help achieve plan goals, as well as goals and policies in the City's climate plans and 2035 Comprehensive Plan; and

WHEREAS, on August 21, 2025 the Urban Forestry Commission voted to recommend the Portland Urban Forest Plan to City Council for adoption and is submitting it to City Council by letter of transmittal, attached as Exhibit B.

Policy