Asheville considers $269K contract for Urban Forest Master Plan; Who was selected?
ASHEVILLE - The city will consider approval of a $269,000 contract for an urban forest master plan, a long-awaited study and an essential piece in developing a future urban forestry program and reversing tree loss citywide.
The item will be considered by Asheville City Council June 11 as part of its consent agenda — a single motion and vote typically reserved for multiple routine, non-controversial items that do not require discussion.
The city's pick — selected among three proposals by an eight-member review team — is Urban Canopy Works, a Kentucky based woman-owned business, and also the consultant behind Knoxville's recent urban forest master plan.
A 2019 study found Asheville lost 6.4% of its tree canopy from 2008-18, or 891 acres. The study's authors labeled the reduction a "call to action," saying the city should take steps to stop, and even reverse, the loss.
"I am really impressed with Urban Canopy works," Urban Forestry Commission Vice Chair Zoe Hoyle said at a June 4 meeting. "They’ve done a lot of projects that directly involve equity and diversity in a very careful way."
The forestry commission unanimously recommended adoption of the contract June 4, though there was some discussion around the procurement process itself, specifically that not all respondent names were provided at the meeting.
"The urban forest master plan does for trees what the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan does in laying out a roadmap for how we want the city of Asheville to grow and thrive in the future," UFC Chair Patrick Gilbert told the Citizen Times June 10 via email.
The master plan will include an updated urban forest canopy and heat island studies, Gilbert said, as well as a comprehensive tree inventory and a "robust" community engagement effort.
Engagement, he said, is "vitally important."
"That is what will ultimately guarantee the success of the urban forest master plan, because citizen input will ensure the resilience of our climate and our neighborhoods," Gilbert said.
The work from this contract will, according to a city staff report:
Establish a baseline inventory of up to 15,000 public trees and begin using a management system to prioritize work, plantings and maintenance.
Provide a public engagement plan to first educate citizens to urban forestry, its management and the pressures currently affecting the quality of life in Asheville.
Develop strategic policy, planning, best practices and innovative approaches to forest stressors and climatic conditions for the next 20-30 years.
Create baseline modeling and analysis to adapt forests and trees to known and unknown issues that will affect the city's natural resources.
Set goals to accomplish measurable impact.
Develop a comprehensive nature based implementation plan so the city "can hit the ground running" before the plan is finalized and/or adopted.
Funding comes from a $300,000 allocation in the fiscal year 2024 budget. The effort follows the 2023 hiring of Keith Aitken, the city's first urban forester.
The consultant is anticipated to work for 22 months or when all deliverables are met.
More: Meet Asheville's 1st urban forester. How will the city grow its tree canopy?
More: Final vote on Haw Creek development delayed again; council takes up BID, budget June 11
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville considers $269K contract for Urban Forest Master Plan
