Corte Madera committee reviews town tree goals, proposes clearer work‑plan steps and public resources

The Corte Madera Town Climate Action Committee on Jan. 15 reviewed the town’s tree goals, programs and a proposed revision to the committee’s 2025 work‑plan to make tree-related actions more specific.

Staff presented a summary of tree actions currently in the town’s Climate Action Plan and related town programs, noting that many private‑land planting strategies are implemented through existing development standards and the town’s tree ordinance but that there is no ongoing town‑led program to encourage private residents to plant trees.

The presentation said the Climate Action Plan estimates private tree actions would yield about 50 net new trees per year and a greenhouse‑gas reduction of roughly 27 metric tons of CO2e over 15 years; public tree plantings were estimated at about 10 net new trees per year and a 5 metric‑ton CO2e reduction over the same period. Staff also said the town’s tracking captures tree removals reported via permits but does not reliably capture all removals or voluntary plantings because many such actions occur without permits or notification to the town.

Staff proposed revising the committee’s broad 2024 work‑plan item on trees…