Task Force Report Goals
The goals and recommendations of the report are grouped into four main categories.
Planning and Design
In order for trees to thrive, they must be comprehensively integrated into the City of Madison's infrastructure and building practices. Issues affecting trees and tree health should be addressed as early as possible into land use decision making processes.
Outreach and Education
An engaged and empowered citizenry is crucial to the future preservation, growth, and sustainability of the urban forest. Outreach strategies should be utilized to engage diverse groups from developers to neighborhood groups to help increase understanding about our urban forest.
Canopy Coverage
Growth strategies should be directed at the neighborhood level and should address the substantial disparities in specific communities with the goal of achieving the optimal tree canopy coverage of 40% overall, as outlined by the American Forests Association for urban areas. The last canopy analysis completed by Wisconsin DNR (based on 2013 imagery data) measured Madison's tree canopy coverage at 23%.
Forestry Operations and Public Lands
Approximately 20% of the total urban forest lies on public lands. Madison should make use of public lands to increase tree canopy cover and integrate appropriate technologies to help manage the urban forest.
