Carlo Britanni, a former Urban Forestry Advisory Board member, gave a short presentation to the board about urban canopy trends in Fayetteville and other rapidly growing cities, urging stronger measurement and public engagement to preserve tree coverage as population increases.

Britanni told the board Fayetteville has grown significantly since 1990 and cited a projection that the city could reach about 145,000 residents by 2040 if current trends hold. He compared Fayetteville to cities including Houston and Austin, noting different approaches to canopy preservation: Houston’s rapid development has reduced canopy and amplified heat-island effects while Austin has managed to increase tree canopy in recent years through zoning and codified goals.

"I think overall Fayetteville has done a great job," Britanni said, crediting recent canopy tracking since 2022 and code changes, but he warned that continued population and university growth will increase pressure on housing, stormwater systems and existing canopy. He urged the board and staff to continue improving public measurement and reporting so residents and developers can see the difference policy choices make.

Board members asked for sources and follow-up; Britanni offered to share the data and charts he referenced. He suggested the board focus on engaging residents and developers so that private actors go "above and beyond" minimum standards rather than relying solely on code enforcement.

The presentation was brief and largely informational; it did not prompt formal action but set a tone for later policy discussions at the meeting about how to evaluate easement trades and how to tighten vacation procedures.