Fayetteville council adopts 10-year urban forestry plan, adds 9-month review requirement

John (urban forestry staff) presented the City of Fayetteville’s updated Urban Forestry Management Plan, describing new canopy targets and implementation priorities. “I’m excited to present the urban forestry management plan to city council for approval,” John said, describing a 10-year goal to reach 40.6% canopy by planting 1,850 net trees and a 30-year goal of 44.4% canopy.

The plan focuses on canopy-based metrics rather than individual trees, expands maintenance and risk-management priorities, and calls for incremental funding increases and community education to support long-term stewardship. Public commenters and advisory-board members urged stronger implementation detail, clearer accounting for trees lost during development, and metrics tied to tree size or carbon sequestration. Hannah Ash, a member of the Urban Forestry Advisory Board, testified she had read the plan in full and supported its direction; other residents urged watering programs and more aggressive maintenance of existing street trees.

Council members debated whether the document currently provides sufficient implementation steps. Council Member Turk and others pressed staff for a clear “road map” that identifies where trees have been lost and how planting will be targeted to address inequities. Staff said GIS canopy updates and monthly tree-accounting metrics would be produced and shared with advisory committees.

To address those concerns, the council approved the resolution to adopt the urban forestry management plan with an amendment requiring staff to bring a review back in the first council meeting in September 2025. The amendment passed on roll call, and the main motion carried with the review clause attached.

The plan is a living document, staff said, and the council’s amendment emphasizes near-term follow-up to refine metrics and implementation details before the plan’s next formal update.