Tree Pittsburgh continues to make progress in preparing to begin developing Pittsburgh’s Urban Forest Master Plan. On October 5, 2011, Tree Pittsburgh invited 25 friends, community partners and project steering committee members to participate in an initial idea session designed to identify simple, fun and accessible strategies to incorporate into an effective public outreach and participation process. Outcomes of the session are available for review:
These outcomes will help Jackson/Clark and Tree Pittsburgh develop a public outreach and participation plan that best support the Urban Forest Master Plan by bringing the planning process to the community and ensuring that Pittsburgh residents have an active role in developing the final plan.
Tree Pittsburgh began to undertake Urban Forest Master Planning starting in Summer 2010, when it worked with Jackson/Clark to bring together over 50 experts and partners in a collaborative planning session. Participants worked together to define what should be a part of a successful Urban Forest Master Plan. The outcomes of the session helped Tree Pittsburgh create Trees for the Future, their framework for the development of the first ever master plan for the Pittsburgh urban forest. The Master Plan project is led by Tree Pittsburgh and a project steering committee that includes over a dozen partner organizations.
The Trees for the Future initiative is guiding Tree Pittsburgh and a range of partner organizations into immediate action on creating a master plan for our City’s unique green environment. Actual planning work will begin starting this Fall, and will conclude with a Spring 2012 launch of the completed Urban Forest Master Plan. Jackson/Clark Partners will work with TreePittsburgh during this planning phase to develop and implement public outreach and participation in support of the planning.
JCP is excited to work on the initial stages of the project as a continuation of our work in bringing sustainability into communities across the City, to support Pittsburgh’s one of a kind urban wilderness, and to help ensure a better environmental future for our community.