Online survey seeks public input on urban forest management plan – mauinews.com

Maui County Urban Forest Management Plan: A Framework for Sustainable Development

Project Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Maui County has initiated the development of an urban forest management plan, “He Nohona ʻUlu,” to foster communities that benefit from enhanced green infrastructure. The plan’s objectives are directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The plan aims to cultivate trees that provide sustainable food sources for local communities.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: A key goal is to improve aquifer recharge through strategic tree planting, which aids in water management and purification.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project seeks to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban spaces by providing shade, preserving cultural resources, and improving the quality of life for residents.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: By increasing the tree canopy, the plan will enhance climate resilience, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The initiative supports the sustainable management of urban ecosystems and promotes local biodiversity.

Strategic Planning and Implementation

The final management plan will integrate community input with technical analysis to guide future action. The comprehensive strategy will advance recommendations for key operational areas, including:

• Policy modifications to support urban forestry.
• Adjustments to municipal staffing and budgets.
• Identification and prioritization of tree planting projects.
• Frameworks for long-term stewardship and maintenance.

Community Engagement and Public Consultation

Public participation is integral to the planning process, ensuring the project reflects community values and needs. An online survey is available to gather resident perspectives on tree benefits, planting locations, and project priorities. A series of in-person events are scheduled to provide information and facilitate further input.

1. November 8: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Tree Giveaway, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Kahului.
2. November 15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Maui County Senior Fair, Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, Kahului.
3. November 15: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Mālama the Trees at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Kahului.

Project Timeline and Governance

The project follows a structured timeline to ensure thorough development and review.

• Project Launch: May
• Draft Plan Release: Late 2026
• Final Plan Adoption: Early 2027

This initiative demonstrates a multi-level partnership, aligning with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Funding is provided by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program and the federal Department of Agriculture Urban and Community Forestry program.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article focuses on creating an “urban forest management plan” for Maui County. This initiative directly aims to make a human settlement more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive by improving the urban environment through green infrastructure. The plan’s goal to “cultivate communities” with various benefits from trees aligns with making cities better places to live.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The plan is explicitly designed to enhance “climate resilience.” Urban forests are a key nature-based solution for both climate change adaptation (e.g., providing shade to cool urban areas) and mitigation (carbon sequestration), directly addressing the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The core of the article is about managing and expanding an “urban forest.” This involves planting trees and long-term stewardship, which contributes to the sustainable management of forests, increasing afforestation, and protecting terrestrial ecosystems within an urban context.
4. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article mentions that a key benefit of the trees is to provide “food.” By planning for trees that can be a source of food for the community, the project connects to the goal of ending hunger and improving food security at a local level.
5. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • One of the stated benefits of the urban forest plan is “aquifer recharge.” Trees and green spaces play a crucial role in the water cycle by helping rainwater infiltrate the ground, which recharges underground aquifers. This directly relates to protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems.

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

1. Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…”
   • The plan’s focus on “tree planting projects” and creating community benefits like “shade” directly contributes to increasing green and public spaces within Maui County. The public input process, including events at a Senior Fair, demonstrates an effort to be inclusive.
2. Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.”
   • The article explicitly states that the plan aims to build “climate resilience.” Urban forests help communities adapt to climate impacts like extreme heat by providing shade and cooling effects.
3. Target 15.2: “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.”
   • The development of an “urban forest management plan” is a direct implementation of sustainable forest management. The plan includes “tree planting projects” and “long-term stewardship,” which are forms of afforestation and restoration within an urban setting.
4. Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.”
   • By including “food” as a benefit provided by the trees, the plan contributes to local food systems and access to nutritious food, aligning with this target.
5. Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.”
   • The plan’s goal of improving “aquifer recharge” directly supports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems, specifically aquifers, by using trees to enhance natural water infiltration.

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

1. Existence of a Management Plan:
   • The primary outcome discussed is the creation of the “He Nohona ʻUlu: Maui’s Community Forest Plan.” The finalization of this plan, expected in early 2027, serves as a direct indicator of progress in local-level planning for climate resilience and sustainable urban development (relevant to Targets 11.7, 13.1, and 15.2).
2. Public and Stakeholder Engagement:
   • The article implies that the success and inclusivity of the plan can be measured by public participation. Indicators would include the number of survey responses received through the website and the number of people engaged during the in-person pop-up events. This measures the community input process, which is vital for Target 11.7.
3. Number of Trees Planted:
   • The plan will advance recommendations for “tree planting projects.” A clear indicator of progress, once the plan is implemented, will be the number of new trees planted, particularly those that provide food, shade, and cultural resources, contributing to Targets 2.1, 11.7, and 15.2.
4. Policy and Budgetary Changes:
   • The article states the plan will “advance recommendations for policy changes, staffing and budgets.” An implied indicator of success will be the formal adoption of these recommended policies and the allocation of dedicated budgets and staff by Maui County to implement and sustain the urban forest.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mauinews.com