A phased PRocess
Fall 2019 /Winter 2020 primarily focused on project start up logistics, creating a Project Team to serve as a steering committee, development of an engagement plan to reach as many for input as possible, and the initiation of data analysis (on tree canopy cover, public tree inventory data, review of policies and plans already in place.
Winter/Spring 2020 is all about engagement. An Advisory Group of 100+ organizations, agencies, departments, neighborhood representatives, etc. has been created and will be led through a series of workshops to explore existing conditions, challenges in the community and ideas for solutions, partnerships and more.
In addition to the Advisory Group, a public meeting was held on March 4th to provide an avenue to hear from Columbus residents. A summary of the event along with a copy of the presentation will be made available very soon.
And the Project Team also offered come to you. For those interested in this project, our team put on presentations to small groups across the city. Unfortunately, this was only an option for a limited time, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis.
Spring/Summer 2020 is the time for synthesizing all the input that has been collected, analyzed, and learned into a picture of what we have currently in a State of the Urban Forest report, the community's vision and goals, and a succinct Action Plan on how to get there.
Get an update on where we are now by clicking here.
Winter/Spring 2020 is all about engagement. An Advisory Group of 100+ organizations, agencies, departments, neighborhood representatives, etc. has been created and will be led through a series of workshops to explore existing conditions, challenges in the community and ideas for solutions, partnerships and more.
In addition to the Advisory Group, a public meeting was held on March 4th to provide an avenue to hear from Columbus residents. A summary of the event along with a copy of the presentation will be made available very soon.
And the Project Team also offered come to you. For those interested in this project, our team put on presentations to small groups across the city. Unfortunately, this was only an option for a limited time, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis.
Spring/Summer 2020 is the time for synthesizing all the input that has been collected, analyzed, and learned into a picture of what we have currently in a State of the Urban Forest report, the community's vision and goals, and a succinct Action Plan on how to get there.
Get an update on where we are now by clicking here.
SOURCES THAT WILL INFORM THE PLAN
Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Assessment
An urban tree canopy (UTC) assessment is an analysis of the amount of tree canopy that covers an area, as seen from aerial photos during summer months (when leaves are on the trees). UTC is expressed in a percent coverage of total land. The first full UTC done for Columbus was completed in 2015 using 2013 aerial imagery. City Inventory of Public Trees The City of Columbus maintains a complete inventory of all public trees, including street and parks trees. This information is collected by physically visiting each tree on public land and collecting multiple data on that tree and is stored and regularly updated in a GIS-based tree management software.In 1998, the City of Columbus completed an inventory of the city-managed street and park trees. Plans, Policy & Regulations Review Review of existing plans and initiatives already in place, as well as city codes, regulations and policies impacting tree canopy in Columbus. |
Community Input
Extensive input from the community will also provide valuable information in the development of this plan. This will be collected through three Advisory Group workshops, multiple one-on-one interviews, a public meeting, and online comments through the project website.
Urban Forestry Operations Review A review of internal city operations related to trees and tree work is underway to identify areas of improvement and increase efficiencies. |
project team
Andrew Williams
Ann Aubry Brad Westall Brandi Whetstone Brian Kinzelman Claus Eckert Craig Seeds Emerald Hernandez Erin Beck Jackie Yeoman Jenny Gulick Jim Gates Jim Long Joe Gregory John Bowers Joseph Reidy Karla Rothan Kelsey Ellingsen Kerry Gray Kimber Perfect Laura Fay Lisa Bowers Matt Leasure Paul Freedman Rachel Comte Rich Simpson Rosalie Hendon Scott Ulrich Stephen Matthews Steve Cothrel Terrie TerMeer Troy Euton Tyler Stevenson |
City of Columbus - Public Services
City of Columbus - Public Utilities City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) MKSK Studios Green Columbus City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry) City of Columbus - Neighborhoods City of Columbus - Mayor's Office City of Columbus - Development Urban Canopy Works City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry) City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry) Davey Resource Group City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry - GIS) Wagenbrenner Development Recreation & Parks Commission Legislative Aide to President Pro Tem Brown Davey Resource Group City of Columbus - Mayor's Office Central Ohio Watershed Council & Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Designing Local City of Columbus - Building & Zoning Urban Canopy Works AEP Forestry Regional Supervisor City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks City of Columbus - Public Health Ohio State University Upper Arlington Parks & Forestry, Representative of Columbus Tree Subcommission Recreation & Parks Commission City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry) Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry |
advisory Group
A large group of approximately 100 people representing neighborhoods, nonprofits, academia, private sector businesses, area commissions from across the city and multiple city and county departments have been asked to participate in three shops this winter that will serve as yet another avenue of input to dictate the direction of this plan.

First Advisory Group Workshop - The Trees - January 30, 2020 Second Advisory Group Workshop - The Players - March 5, 2020 Third Advisory Group Workshop - The Management Approach - April 2, 2020 (VIRTUAL MEETING)
5th by Northwest Area Commission
AEP Ohio American Society of Consulting Arborists American Society of Landscape Architects (Ohio Chapter) Building Industry Association Building Services Review Committee Builders' Exchange of Central Ohio Central Ohio Hospital Association Central Ohio PRISM Central Ohio Watershed Council City of Bexley City of Columbus - Building & Zoning Services - City Council - Development - Mayor's Office - Nature Preserves Advisory Council - Neighborhoods - Public Health - Public Safety - Public Service - Public Utilities - Recreation and Parks Commission City of Columbus Land Bank City of Dublin City of Gahanna City of New Albany City of Westerville City of Worthington Clintonville Area Commission Columbia Gas Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Columbus Chamber of Commerce Columbus City Schools Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority |
Columbus Realtors
Columbus Regional Airport Authority Columbus State Community College Davey Resource Group Dawes Arboretum Defense Supply Center Columbus Designing Local Edwards Communities Development Co. Far East Area Commission Far South Area Commission Franklin County Engineer Franklin County Land Bank - COCIC Franklin Park Conservatory Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District Franklinton Area Commission Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed Greater South East Area Commission Greenlawn Cemetery Livingston Avenue Area Commission Mideast Area Commission Midwest Biodiversity Institute Milo-Grogan Area Commission Ohio Department of Agriculture Ohio Environmental Council Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio State University OSU Extension Master Gardeners South Linden Area Commission Southwest Area Commission The Columbus Foundation Green Funds University Area Commission Urban Canopy Works US Forest Service US Green Building Council - Ohio Chapter |