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Environmental Stewardship Committee warns of rapid tree canopy loss; commission schedules workshop
Summary
The Environmental Stewardship Committee reported a substantial net loss of mature trees and proposed a February/March joint workshop to consider Chapter 23 revisions, Tree Trust Fund spending, and incentives to protect mature canopy. Committee data indicated permit removals far outpace replacements.
The Environmental Stewardship Committee told the City Commission on Dec. 8 that Atlantic Beach has lost a large amount of mature tree canopy in the past 10 months and urged expedited policy work to protect and replace trees.
Sarah Bourne, speaking for the committee, reported that the ESE had completed or was progressing on 17 of 22 priorities and outlined a proposed 2025–26 work plan. Dan Gipanucci reviewed permit data and warned that removals far outpace replacements: "we are removing twice as much as we're replacing," he said, describing a net loss measured in thousands of inches of trunk diameter.
Gipanucci gave several specifics to illustrate the scale: roughly 3,000 net inches were removed by permit in the last 10 months, only about half of those inches were replaced, and the committee has provided roughly 250 small trees to residents. He said many replacements are small (4-inch stock), while average permitted removals include multiple mature trees per permit, creating a long-term canopy deficit.
The committee also reported mitigation economics: average mitigation per permit is about $3,100 (about $800 per tree), yet in some months — March was cited — many mature trees were removed and fees paid without replacement. "In March alone, 57 trees were cut by permit. Not 1 was replanted," Gipanucci said, and the fees collected that month were roughly $77,000.
ESE asked the commission for direction on timing and content for a biennial "State of the Canopy" report and asked that priorities tied to Chapter 23 revisions, master arborist involvement, and a proposed MARSH pilot be scheduled into the city calendar. City staff confirmed the committee's reporting cadence is required by ordinance and agreed to pursue a joint workshop in February or March to align priorities and review the Tree Trust Fund spending plan.
Commissioners emphasized the need for the city arborist’s input and for clear deliverables the committee and staff can take into the budget process. A commissioner also urged the committee to communicate successes to residents: "It's okay to brag," one member said, requesting better public outreach about improvements.
Next steps: the commission and staff agreed to set timing for a joint workshop in early 2026 (staff suggested March) to refine Chapter 23 revisions, review the Tree Trust Fund action plan and define the State of the Canopy report content and delivery schedule.
