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Fort Lauderdale considers ambitious urban-forest plan to reach 33% canopy by 2040
Summary
City consultants presented a 14-area Urban Forestry Master Plan that aims to raise tree canopy from 26.6% to 33% by 2040, estimating the city must mobilize public and private planting and invest $1.2–$2.1 million annually (excludes tree planting). Commissioners pressed for details on feasibility, private-land incentives and funding sources.
City consultants presented the Fort Lauderdale Urban Forestry Master Plan to the City Commission on Nov. 19, laying out a pathway to increase overall tree canopy to 33% by 2040.
The plan, prepared by the consultant team RES with input from city staff and the Sustainability Advisory Board, documents the city’s canopy at 26.6% as of 2024 and estimates approximately 5.6 square miles of potential planting area across public and private land. The consultants described a package of 62 recommendations in 14 action areas intended to preserve existing canopy, expand planting on public and private property, and strengthen enforcement and permitting.
“The city has set a goal of 33% by 2040,” the consultant said during the presentation; staff added that achieving that target will require combining preservation with new incentives and stronger enforcement.
Why it matters: Trees deliver measurable benefits — cooling, stormwater reduction, pollutant removal and carbon storage — and the consultants estimated current canopy provides roughly $3.3 million in annual…
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