Urban Forest Master Plan

Adopted by the City Council on February 10, 2026, the Urban Forest Master Plan(PDF, 9MB) is a planning document that identifies a vision, goals, and guiding principles for managing the city's urban forest over mid- to long-term planning horizons.

Over an 18-month timeline, baseline data on tree resources, canopy coverage, non-native invasive species, and program capacity were combined with an in-depth review of city policies and management practices to develop this 20-year vision. Built on the guiding principles that trees support healthy communities, offer powerful climate solutions, and grow in value over time, the Urban Forest Master Plan is paired with 5-year implementation cycles to turn goals into measurable action and adapt strategies as conditions of the city's urban forest change.

Adaptive Management Approach

Diagram showing the four-stage adaptive management cycle: 1. What do we have? 2. What do we want? 3. How do we get there? 4. How are we doing? Arrows connect each stage in a continuous loop.

The Urban Forest Master Plan is designed as a living document with an adaptive management approach organized by four main questions:

  1. What do we have? Establishes a baseline for the planning process
  2. What do we want? Seeks stakeholder input to develop the vision and guiding principles
  3. How do we get there? Outlines objectives, strategies, and actions for implementation
  4. How are we doing? Determines metrics and assessment timelines for evaluating progress

Over its 20-year horizon, the plan will remain responsive to new data, evolving priorities, and unforeseen challenges, such as climate impacts, budget shifts, and development pressures. The plan recommends 1- and 5-year review cycles, including annual reporting and 5-year comprehensive reviews to ensure the plan stays on track and continues to reflect community values and resource realities.

Vision, Guiding Principles, and Goals

Vision

Through thoughtful planning and shared care, Fairfax will grow a resilient urban forest—now and into the future. 

Guiding Principles

Urban forests are healthy communities, climate solutions, and cost savings.

Goals

  1. Champion and sustain a resilient and equitable urban forest in Fairfax City.
  2. Increase Fairfax City's capacity to care for trees.
  3. Strengthen the community's support and involvement in the urban forest.

Objectives

The objectives serve as the “how” for achieving the city’s urban forest Goals. The five primary objectives— Protect, Regulate, Grow, Manage, and Engage—translate the Vision and Guiding Principles into action, ensuring that the health, climate, and economic benefits of trees are realized equitably across the community. Objectives are implemented through 25 strategies, each with 5-13 actions tracked via strategy metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

1. Protect: Strengthen tree and forest conservation

  1. Develop and implement a forested natural areas assessment and action plan
  2. Conserve, connect, and expand tree canopy through strategic conservation and land use policies
  3. Create a pest and disease response plan
  4. Develop and implement a disaster response plan for urban forestry

2. Regulate: Enhance city policies to protect and expand tree canopy – both in content and process

  1. Strengthen tree policies across public and private land
  2. Embed trees as essential green infrastructure across city policy and planning
  3. Improve tree-related decision-making in capital improvements and public projects
  4. Advance community awareness and engagement in urban tree policy

3. Grow: Create space, plant, and care for new trees

  1. Develop a public tree planting program
  2. Establish a young tree care program
  3. Diversify the urban forest's tree species and age composition
  4. Expand tree canopy through capital improvement projects

4. Manage: Establish a dedicated urban forestry division for all urban forestry activities

  1. Scale internal capacity through a centralized Urban Forestry Division
  2. Operationalize the new Urban Forestry Division through standardized work plans and tracking systems
  3. Secure funding to support operations of the Urban Forestry Division
  4. Build a culture of shared ownership of how departmental roles influence urban forest outcomes
  5. Integrate non-native invasive species management into routine operations and asset management

5. Engage: Foster community stewardship of Fairfax’s urban forest

  1. Engage residents in stewardship of the urban forest
  2. Strengthen city board and commission involvement in urban forest management
  3. Support private property tree planting and stewardship
  4. Report urban forestry outcomes to build transparency and trust
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