NY State Assembly Urban Reforestation Act - Fall

Team Members: Kasturi Thorat, Matteo Chiadò Piat, Julia-Grace Sanders, Jinming (John) He, Diana Bunge, Ipsita Dash, Eric Smith, Alma Bauer, Rafae Ghani, Zheqi (Jerry) Li, Hannah Harasaki

Urban tree canopy plays a critical role in protecting public health, mitigating climate impacts, and improving environmental quality, yet urbanization has significantly reduced tree cover across New York State. Many communities—particularly low-income and historically marginalized neighborhoods—experience disproportionately low canopy coverage, contributing to higher temperatures, increased air pollution exposure, and greater vulnerability to flooding. The Urban Reforestation Act establishes a permanent funding mechanism to support tree planting, maintenance, and urban forestry programs statewide. Expanding urban forests improves air quality, reduces the urban heat island effect, enhances stormwater management, and supports biodiversity. The legislation also recognizes urban forestry as essential infrastructure for climate adaptation and environmental justice, helping address inequities in environmental conditions across communities.

Effective implementation requires careful planning, sustained funding, and long-term maintenance to ensure tree survival and maximize environmental benefits. Analysis of urban forestry programs shows that maintenance and stewardship are often underfunded, reducing program effectiveness and limiting long-term canopy growth. Establishing dedicated funding streams and prioritizing investments in underserved communities significantly improves program outcomes and equity. Integrating workforce development programs creates local employment opportunities while supporting long-term forest management. Performance monitoring systems tracking canopy expansion, tree survival rates, and environmental outcomes ensure accountability and program success. By strengthening urban forests, the Act provides a scalable and cost-effective strategy to improve climate resilience, enhance public health, and promote environmental equity across New York State.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.