Summary of Findings

Three goals emerged from the strategic planning process to guide stewardship of Fort Collins’ urban forest over the next 20 years:

1. BUILD RESILIENCE & WELLBEING OF PEOPLE AND TREES.
2. SUSTAINABLY GROW THE FORESTRY DIVISION.
3. EXPAND THE COMMUNITY’S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TREE BENEFITS AND STEWARDSHIP.
   

The findings that are detailed above, as well as additional analysis that is presented in an accompanying technical appendix, informed the development of seven urban forestry strategic recommendations. Each recommendation contains two levels of initiatives that can support implementation of this Urban Forest Strategic Plan. Fort Collins can select from, and refine, this menu of initiatives over the life of the Plan according to its capacity, resources, and community goals.

The recommendations of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan reflect seven Outcome Areas that are detailed in the City of Fort Collins 2024 Strategic Plan.

Image outlines the types of Foundational and Transformational initiatives that are suggested in the Urban Forest Strategic Plan. A Foundational Initiative is simpler to implement, whereas Transformational Initiatives are more complicated and may require a longer term for implementation.

Recommendation 1: STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN GROWING TREE CANOPY WHERE IT WILL PROMOTE RESILIENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN FORT COLLINS

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Prioritize equitable planting and maintenance within areas of greatest tree canopy loss that correspond to priority areas for human and environmental wellbeing.
• Implement a parks planting plan that aligns with the Living Tribute Tree program to strategically fill vacant planting sites in parks.
• Create a planting plan to fill vacant planting spaces over 10 years. Scale annual tree planting efforts to replace public tree losses due to natural mortality and other tree removals.
• Incorporate new species that are adapted to future climate conditions, for example, drought tolerant, pest/disease tolerant, and acclimated to warmer and more extreme temperatures.
• Work with water efficiency experts to create educational resources about trees and irrigation that include species guidance, proper tree watering techniques, and tree watering protocols for water conservation. Encourage the use of dedicated irrigation for trees.
• Grow the Community Canopy Program to supply more trees to residents for planting on private property, prioritizing areas where tree canopy is most needed.
• Utilize stormwater and hydrant water capture to water trees.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Coordinate with other City departments to integrate trees into a complete streets framework. Prioritize planting and maintenance along bicycle routes.
• Undertake a study of bus stops to understand patterns of recent tree canopy loss, create solutions to increase tree cover, and reduce conflicts between trees and bus infrastructure.
• Coordinate with other City departments to use smart growth urban design principles to develop a comprehensive heat mitigation plan for the built environment that prioritizes vulnerable populations. Include strategies for development, land use, and tree preservation.
• Build tree connectivity to parks and schools.
• Develop and set canopy goals for different geographies, for example, by land use type or district.
• Shift species composition of the urban forest toward more drought-tolerant species.
• Build species-level biodiversity of the public tree inventory. Track the use of cultivars and varieties.
• Explore a citywide tree canopy goal that can inform planting and protection objectives for private property.
• Provide species guidance for tree giveaways and private planting.

Recommendation 2: COMPLETE THE SHIFT TO PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FORT COLLINS’ PUBLIC TREES

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Implement a five-year routine pruning cycle.
• Plan to scale up pruning activities as additional trees are added to the inventory.
• Use the existing tree inventory to inform management decisions based on species and size.
• Create an urban forest management plan that details Forestry operations over the next 5–10 years.
• Incorporate the storm response plan, the City’s strategic plans, Parks Master Plan, Our Climate Future plan, and other city management plans into urban forestry operations.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Collect more detailed public tree inventory data to guide management that is based on risk rating, recommended maintenance, and/or related metrics.
• Project tree benefits under different management scenarios.

Recommendation 3: STRENGTHEN CITY POLICIES TO PROTECT TREES

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Adopt a citywide land use code to improve tree preservation and protection while balancing other priorities and needs of the community.
• Draft a heritage tree program that allows for the elective enrollment and protection of trees that have cultural, historic, or ecological value.
• Create policy summaries or tip sheets that clarify the responsibility for tree maintenance in spaces including alleyways, property boundaries, and ditches.
• Plan for education and outreach that will guide policy development about tree protection for development scenarios on private land.
• Reference existing good practices—best management practices and manuals, ISA Certified Arborist requirements, wood utilization program—in city code.
• Create a comprehensive insect/disease control plan to address existing and future threats.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Draft a heritage tree ordinance that protects trees greater than a certain size on private property. Require a permit for, or prohibit, pruning or removal of heritage trees.
• Clarify the legal responsibility for trees within vacant and boundary areas (land without ownership) to encourage the protection and growth of tree canopy.
• Plan for tree preservation and tree canopy expansion within areas in the Growth Management Area that are to remain as future green space as identified by the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the Natural Areas Strategic Framework.
• Demonstrate outdoor water efficiency by creating water-smart landscapes that incorporate trees on City property.
• Explore and expand tree protection and preservation policies within the Land Use Code to apply to non-development scenarios.
• Develop additional policy for tree protection on private land—for example, protecting trees during residential property development scenarios. Educate and engage with the public about policy scenarios to gauge public support.
• Require landfill diversion for wood waste that originates from private land.

Recommendation 4: COLLECT DATA TO TRACK CHANGES TO TREE CANOPY OVER TIME AND TO INFORM FORESTRY ACTIVITIES

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Repeat an urban tree canopy assessment in 5 years using 2026 data to measure canopy change. Collaborate with other City departments to expand the analysis to include additional land cover types and geographies.
• Map existing public trees that are under threat from pests and/or drought using inventory data; look for trends that may inform tree activities.
• Complete data fields for all public trees about irrigation status and emerald ash borer treatment priority.
• Conduct a sample inventory of natural areas in alignment with the Natural Areas Strategic Framework.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Repeat an urban tree canopy assessment in 2 years to capture early canopy changes due to emerald ash borer. Apply advanced mapping options to guide and measure the effects of policy changes.
• Update the public tree inventory on a 5-year cycle.
• Use a sample inventory to evaluate tree species composition across the Growth Management Area to better understand resilience of the urban forest to pests, diseases, abiotic stressors, and climate change.

Recommendation 5: SUSTAINABLY GROW THE FORESTRY DIVISION TO KEEP PACE WITH GROWTH OF THE URBAN FOREST

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Internally track public requests that are submitted via phone and email.
• Regularly report on budget expenditures by tree activity.
• Create work plans to make efficient use of personnel and budget.
• Acquire additional staff for tree planting/preparation and pruning.
• Add capacity for grant writing and reporting.
• Pursue grants and other limited funding opportunities.
• Contribute to local initiatives to expand the green workforce.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Use resource management software to track public requests.
• Create an urban forestry planner position.
• Annually or biannually report to the public on tree activities.
• Link tree activities to health, social, and environmental data, and to community data (transit ridership, cycling/pedestrian stats, city Outcome Areas) as available.
• Add at least one additional, fully equipped Forestry crew.
• Implement a staff rotation schedule. Regularly rotate Forestry staff to different teams to provide rest from physical labor and build knowledge across the team.
• Increase the space that is available to Forestry for operations, equipment, and wood waste. Locate space where it can maximize efficiency of fuel use and time.
• Increase the budget for tree maintenance over time as young trees grow.
• Create new sources of sustained funding, such as a Tree Fund, and align with City Give.

Recommendation 6: DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT TREE STEWARDSHIP

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Engage the public in policy updates that protect trees on private property.
• Continue and grow the Urban Forest Ambassador program.
• Provide educational resources to assist property owners with private tree planting, maintenance, and preservation.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Engage in interdepartmental and cross-sector coalition building around trees:
• Integrate forestry activities with implementation of the Active Modes Plan. Engage with Active Modes stakeholders including the cycling community.
• Expand engagement and volunteer opportunities into communities with health and social vulnerabilities.
• Align wood utilization efforts with larger Zero Waste initiatives.
• Engage with parks advocates; see Nature in the City and 15-Minute Walk campaigns.
• Engage with the business sector to promote trees for economic development, e.g., Holiday Lights.
• Enlist community organizations to engage with their networks on topics including tree benefits, tree responsibilities, policy development, and volunteer opportunities.
• Work with other City departments and initiatives, including the Xeriscape Incentive Program, to develop resources about outdoor water conservation, turf removal, and tree watering.
• Create resources on wood utilization best management practices for the public.
• Provide financial resources to assist property owners with private tree planting, maintenance, and preservation.
• Expand volunteer opportunities to assist with activities such as young tree pruning, watering assistance during drought, or community education.
• Create tip sheets that explain city code and policies in plain language.

Recommendation 7: EXPAND THE NETWORK OF FORESTRY DIVISION PARTNERS

FOUNDATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Continue regional work with nursery growers to secure the quantity and types of climate- and pest-adapted trees that will be needed to meet planting goals.
• Share urban forestry resources and knowledge with neighboring communities.
• Expand staff involvement in regional urban forestry networks; provide additional opportunities for staff that contribute to career development.

TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES

• Encourage large corporate and institutional campuses to develop tree plans.
• Continue engagement with partners about management of public trees.
• Contribute expertise about trees and urban forestry in regional planning efforts that relate to climate resilience, complete & green streets, human health, wood utilization, etc.
• Continue to support the wood waste program and grow the regional network of urban woodworkers and wood utilization partners.