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Encinitas UFAC approves 2026 work plan with focus on native‑plant incentives, contract‑grow options
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Summary
The Urban Forest Advisory Committee voted to approve a 2026 work plan that directs the group to explore incentive programs tied to the city's native‑plant ordinance, contract‑growing native street trees, public outreach and standing annual reports on canopy and removals.
The Encinitas Urban Forest Advisory Committee approved its 2026 work plan on March 26 after an extended discussion about incentives, native species and outreach strategies.
The committee ebated a proposed work‑plan item to "support the native plant ordinance by exploring incentive options and plants availability," including potential contract‑grow arrangements with local growers to produce street‑tree stock that is not widely available. Committee members named candidate trees discussed for difficult street‑tree sites, including variants described in the meeting as the Davis Gold Toyon and examples of Quercus and Prunus species.
Members also discussed ways to tie outreach to Arbor Day and school programs, suggested volunteer‑driven acorn collection and seed‑distribution activities, and asked staff to provide recurring annual reporting items such as species‑list updates, tree removal summaries, pest and disease updates, and canopy reporting. The committee emphasized coordinating with the city arborist on practical implementation and with the Planning Department on incentives tied to the native‑plant ordinance.
Member Jenny moved to approve the 2026 work plan and the motion passed by roll call vote with no opposing votes among those present (member Palumbo absent). A staff representative agreed to reach out to the fire department with a brief question about how its desirable/undesirable species list was developed to inform the committee's fire‑safety guidance item.
What happens next: The committee will present the approved work plan and a review of last year's accomplishments to the City Council; the incoming chair and vice chair were assigned to a small subcommittee to prepare that presentation.
