City launches first urban forest management plan for sustainability

In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed the development of Issaquah's first Urban Forest Management Plan, a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the city's urban forestry program over the next decade. Urban Forest Supervisor Dan Hintz, alongside consultant Chris Pfeiffer from Planet Geo, presented the plan's initial draft, which has been in development since last fall.

The plan is designed to serve as a roadmap, incorporating community feedback gathered during previous meetings. Key components include a vision statement, five guiding principles, and specific goals and strategies aimed at achieving a 55% tree canopy cover, as outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan (ICAP). The officials emphasized the importance of community engagement, noting that feedback will be accepted until the end of the month to refine the draft before a second version is prepared for council adoption in November.

Pfeiffer highlighted the plan's holistic approach, which considers not only trees but the entire urban ecosystem, including stormwater management and green infrastructure. He also mentioned the need for funding strategies to support the ambitious canopy goals and the importance of making information accessible to the public through the city’s website.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further discussion and input from board members, underscoring the collaborative effort required to finalize the Urban Forest Management Plan.