Philly Tree Plan
A Community-Led Urban Forest Strategic Plan
The Philly Tree Plan is Philadelphia’s first-ever urban forestry strategic plan. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation commissioned the plan in response to a 2019 urban tree canopy cover study showing a 6% decline from 2008 to 2018. Hinge Collective led a team of consultants that included forestry experts, geospatial analysts, urban policy experts, community organizers, educators, and visual communicators to facilitate a strategic planning process centered on community voices. Over 9,000 residents guided the recommendations and goals of the Philly Tree Plan through a multifaceted engagement strategy that included an ambassador program, a city-wide survey, a digital open house, stakeholder workshops, an Instagram photo challenge, and a community meeting tour. Each method provided an opportunity to share personal stories that showed deep connections to trees and uncovered the barriers that contributed to the urban forest's inequitable distribution. Twenty-eight community leaders from across the City guided each aspect of the plan development as Community Voices Steering Committee members. Their contribution included the development of a priority map that identifies regions where focused attention is required to support the equitable distribution of the benefits of trees.
The Philly Tree Plan is organized around eight goals rooted in the extensive community engagement process and is responsive to Philadelphia’s unique challenges and opportunities. These goals are: 1) Coordinate support for trees 2) Protect the existing and future forest 3) Grow the urban forest equitably across the city 4) Reduce the burden of trees on residents 5) Invest in people and communities 6) Communicate with residents and improve customer service 7) Advocate for communities to benefit from the urban forest 8) Celebrate and support the ways communities are engaging with trees. These goals are supported by recommendations that provide a clear path for Philadelphia to become a national leader in community forestry and bring the benefits of trees to all residents in ways that support them the best.
Photo Credits: Sahar Coston-Hardy
Location: Philadelphia, PA (city-wide)
Client: Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
Timeframe: 2020-2021
Project Team: Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, Azevea, SaveATree, Little Giant Creative, Rising Sons, Sahar Coston Hardy Photography, Herb White, Paula Conolly, Glen Environmental, and the Cultural Heritage Fund (Trinity Norwood)
Engagement Techniques Used:
Community Voices steering committee representing community leaders from all regions of the City
Virtual Open House and Engagement Hub
Stakeholder workshops
22 paid neighborhood ambassadors that gathered over 80 interviews with peers and relatives
City-wide survey with over 7,000 responses in 8 languages from every Philadelphia zip code
Community meeting tour of 32 community groups in priority areas
#PhillyTreeStories Instagram Photo Challenge
