Cape Fear nonprofit writes how-to on growing tree canopies – Coastal Review

Policy Guide for Urban Forestry Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has released “Code & Canopy,” a 45-page policy guide designed to address the decline of tree cover in southeastern North Carolina. This document serves as a comprehensive resource for local governments, planning departments, developers, and community advocates, offering a framework for sustainable development practices. The guide’s recommendations are fundamentally aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting environmentally responsible urban and rural planning.

Core Objectives and Alignment with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The primary objective of the “Code & Canopy” guide is to provide actionable strategies for creating and maintaining robust tree canopies. This initiative directly supports SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By focusing on green infrastructure, the guide contributes to Target 11.7, ensuring access to green and public spaces, and Target 11.B, which encourages the adoption of policies for climate change adaptation and disaster resilience.

• To provide a menu of policy options applicable to the specific needs of diverse communities.
• To facilitate the integration of tree preservation measures into local land development codes and ordinances.
• To empower local governments to protect and enhance their urban forests against pressures from development and climate change.

Key Policy Recommendations and Contribution to Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15)

The guide outlines a series of policies that support climate action (SDG 13) and the protection of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15). These recommendations offer tangible methods for mitigating the urban heat island effect, managing stormwater, and preserving biodiversity within developing areas.

1. Establishment of “Tree Save Areas”: Requires developers to preserve a percentage of undisturbed, natural areas and protect significant trees based on size, age, or cultural importance. This directly contributes to SDG 15 by preventing the degradation of natural habitats.
2. Protection of Mature Trees: Advocates for expanding existing regulations to protect all species of mature trees, such as those 24 inches in diameter or larger, which are critical for carbon sequestration and climate resilience (SDG 13).
3. Developer Incentives: Suggests implementing incentives for developers who voluntarily preserve natural areas, fostering a market-based approach to conservation.
4. Zoning and Training Enhancements: Recommends establishing conservation resource areas, strengthening zoning protections for high-value nature areas, and requiring annual training on tree protection protocols for contractors.

Regional Context and Environmental Impact

The guide was developed in response to significant tree canopy loss in the Lower Cape Fear Region. In Wilmington, the tree canopy has decreased from 48% to approximately 40% since 2016. Similarly, unincorporated New Hanover County lost over 3,000 acres of canopy between 2014 and 2022. These losses, driven by development and climate-related stressors like hurricanes, undermine regional sustainability. The ecological services provided by mature forests are vital for achieving multiple SDGs.

• Water Management: Mature forests intercept substantial amounts of stormwater, reducing flood risk and improving water quality, which aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11.
• Climate Adaptation: Tree canopies cool urban areas and their roots stabilize soil, enhancing resilience to climate change impacts, a key component of SDG 13.
• Ecosystem Health: Preserving natural areas protects vital green infrastructure and biodiversity, supporting the targets of SDG 15.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

The development of “Code & Canopy” exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its collaborative approach. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees engaged with municipal and county planners, as well as private developers, to ensure the guide’s recommendations were practical and well-informed. This multi-stakeholder partnership has been positively received, with New Hanover County identifying the guide as a resource for advancing its strategic goals for Sustainable Land Use and Environmental Stewardship. The inclusion of feedback from development partners ensures that the proposed policies balance environmental protection with economic realities, creating a sustainable path forward for the region.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article is centered on urban and community planning in the Lower Cape Fear Region. It discusses the “Code & Canopy” guide, a policy resource designed for local planning departments and governments to manage development, preserve green spaces (tree canopies), and create healthier communities. This directly relates to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly links the loss of tree canopy to “climate change” and “climate stress.” It highlights the role of trees in climate adaptation and resilience, noting that they are depleted by hurricanes and that mature forests help mitigate climate impacts by “reduc[ing] flood risk” and “cool[ing] streets.” The guide’s purpose is to implement measures that strengthen this natural resilience.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The core mission discussed in the article is to “slow the loss of tree cover and grow greener, healthier canopies,” which aligns with protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The article details efforts to halt deforestation at a local level, protect significant and mature trees, and restore tree cover through planting initiatives, all of which are central to SDG 15.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces

  The initiative aims to “grow greener, healthier canopies in urban and rural communities.” By preserving and expanding tree cover, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is working to enhance green infrastructure, which is a fundamental component of public green spaces that benefit all residents.

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters

  The article states that “Mature forests intercept hundreds of millions of gallons of stormwater, reducing flood risk and improving water quality.” This directly addresses the need to strengthen resilience against climate-related hazards like hurricanes and heavy rainfall, which are mentioned as causes of canopy loss.

• Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation

  The “Code & Canopy” guide provides policies to “slow tree canopy loss” and “boost healthy canopy growth.” Furthermore, the article mentions that the Alliance has “planted more than 3,000 native trees and distributed more than 15,000,” which are direct actions contributing to reforestation and sustainable forest management at the community level.

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity

  The guide proposes policies such as establishing “tree save areas” to preserve undisturbed natural areas and protecting “significant trees” based on their size, age, or rarity. This is a direct measure to reduce the degradation of local habitats caused by development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of urban area covered by tree canopy

  The article provides a specific, quantifiable metric: “Since 2016, Wilmington’s tree canopy has shrunk from covering 48% of the city to about 40% today.” This percentage serves as a direct indicator to measure the extent of green space and progress in halting deforestation within the city (relevant to SDG 11 and 15).

• Total area of tree canopy loss

  Another quantitative indicator mentioned is the acreage of lost canopy: “In unincorporated New Hanover County, more than 3,000 acres of canopy disappeared between 2014 and 2022.” Tracking this figure over time can measure the effectiveness of policies aimed at halting deforestation (relevant to SDG 15).

• Number of trees planted and distributed

  The article states that the organization “planted more than 3,000 native trees and distributed more than 15,000 throughout the region.” This number is a direct indicator of reforestation and restoration efforts (relevant to SDG 15).

• Adoption of protective policies and regulations

  The article implies that progress can be measured by the number of municipalities and counties that “adopt” or “enact” the policies suggested in the “Code & Canopy” guide. This includes establishing “tree save areas” or strengthening zoning protections, serving as an indicator of institutional commitment to sustainable land use (relevant to SDG 11, 13, and 15).

• Regulations for protecting mature trees

  A specific potential indicator is the implementation of rules to protect mature trees. The article suggests protecting “all species of trees that are 24 inches in diameter at breast height or larger.” The number of local governments with such a rule in their code would be a measurable outcome (relevant to SDG 15).

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coastalreview.org