City of Asheville launches engagement survey for Urban Forest Master Plan – The City of Asheville (.gov)

Report on the Development of Asheville’s Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP)

Introduction and Strategic Objectives

The City of Asheville has initiated the development of its inaugural Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP), a comprehensive strategy designed to guide the sustainable management, protection, and enhancement of the city’s urban canopy for future decades. This initiative is a direct contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by ensuring the city’s green infrastructure is managed for long-term environmental health and quality of life for its residents.

The UFMP will serve as a foundational policy document, outlining strategies for resource allocation and management to fortify the urban forest against environmental pressures and support urban resilience.

Public Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration

A critical component of the UFMP’s development is a public engagement survey designed to gather community input. This collaborative approach aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by actively involving residents, nonprofit organizations, business owners, and other community stakeholders in the policy-making process. The feedback collected will be instrumental in shaping plan recommendations that reflect community values, priorities, and concerns regarding the urban forest.

• Participation Method: A public engagement survey is available online.
• Submission Deadline: March 27, 2026.
• Further Information: An ongoing list of public presentations and engagement opportunities is available at ashevillenc.gov/trees.

Alignment with Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Urban Forest Master Plan is intrinsically linked to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, positioning Asheville’s local actions within a global framework for sustainability.

1. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: The plan aims to enhance the urban environment, making Asheville more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable through the strategic management of green spaces.
2. SDG 13 – Climate Action: By protecting and expanding the urban tree canopy, the UFMP is a direct local action to combat climate change. The urban forest aids in carbon sequestration, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and helps manage stormwater, contributing to both climate mitigation and adaptation.
3. SDG 15 – Life on Land: The initiative focuses on the sustainable management of urban forest ecosystems, thereby protecting local biodiversity and promoting the health of terrestrial ecosystems within an urban setting.
4. SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: As stated by City Urban Forester Keith Aitken, the urban forest is integral to the quality of life and environmental health. Enhanced green spaces contribute to improved air quality, provide recreational opportunities, and support the mental and physical well-being of the community.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article focuses on the City of Asheville’s initiative to create an “Urban Forest Master Plan.” This plan is a direct effort to improve the urban environment, making the city more sustainable and enhancing the “quality of life, environmental health and beauty” for its residents, which is a core objective of SDG 11.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Urban forests play a crucial role in climate change mitigation and adaptation by sequestering carbon, providing cooling effects, and managing stormwater. The plan’s goal for the “sustainable management, protection and enhancement of Asheville’s urban forest” is a local climate action strategy aimed at building resilience and improving environmental health.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article is centered on the management of a terrestrial ecosystem, specifically an urban forest. The development of a master plan for the “protection and enhancement” of this “green canopy” directly aligns with the goals of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The process described in the article heavily emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration. The city is actively inviting “residents, nonprofit leaders, business owners and community stakeholders to participate” through a “public engagement survey.” This inclusive approach to policy-making is central to SDG 17.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

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

   • The Urban Forest Master Plan aims to manage and enhance Asheville’s “green canopy.” This urban forest constitutes a significant green public space. The public survey is designed to “understand community priorities, values and concerns,” which would inform how these spaces are developed to be more accessible and inclusive for all residents.

2. Target 11.b: Substantially increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

   • The creation of the “first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan” is a direct example of a city developing an integrated plan. The article states the plan will serve as a “comprehensive roadmap” to guide “future policy, resource allocation and management strategies,” aligning with the target’s focus on implementing holistic urban planning.

3. Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning and development processes.

   • The entire purpose of the Urban Forest Master Plan is to integrate the value of the urban forest ecosystem into the city’s official planning. The article notes that community feedback will “guide future policy, resource allocation and management strategies,” demonstrating a direct integration of environmental values into local governance.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The article explicitly details a partnership-based approach. The call for a “public engagement survey” and the invitation to “residents, nonprofit leaders, business owners and community stakeholders” is a clear effort to build a civil society partnership to “help shape the vision” for the urban forest.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 11.b: Existence and adoption of a local urban forest master plan.

   • The article states that the city is developing its “first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan.” The successful development, official adoption, and subsequent implementation of this plan would serve as a direct indicator of progress toward creating integrated local policies for sustainability.

2. Indicator for Target 17.17: Level of multi-stakeholder engagement in the planning process.

   • The article implies this indicator by highlighting the “public engagement survey” and inviting a wide range of stakeholders. The number of survey responses and the diversity of participants (residents, nonprofits, businesses) can be used as a metric to measure the effectiveness of the city’s partnership-building efforts in the planning process.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ashevillenc.gov