NYC Borough Presidents call Mayor Adams to plant 1 million trees

Five borough presidents are asking Mayor Adams to plant one million trees by 2030 to expand the city’s green spaces and lower the climate footprint. 

Borough Presidents Mark Levine, Vanessa Gibson, Antonio Reynoso, Donovan Richards, and Vito Fossella introduced the initiative “Million More Trees” during the press conference on Monday. They are calling mayor Adams to honor his commitment to dedicate one percent of the city budget to parks. 

Approximately 22 percent of the city is covered by tree canopy, the New York Times reports. In recent years, this number increased by 2 percent due to various factors, including natural regeneration, the growth of existing trees, and the first million trees program started by former mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Currently, New York has at least seven million trees in total, according to the data collected by Nature Conservancy. However, they are not evenly distributed across the city.

“Trees are so much more than just pretty to look at. They are a key weapon in our fight against climate change because they absorb CO2,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine at the press conference. 

The Million More Trees initiative will cost up to $500 million, 6sqft reports. Multiple city agencies will work together to plant and maintain trees. The program would prioritize underserved communities that lack access to park spaces. According to Forest For All Coalition, NYC urban forest improves public health, helps the city to adapt to climate change, and lowers carbon emissions. 

The Parks Department has changed several policies regarding massive tree planting after one million trees were planted on the streets of New York in 2015.  For example, the city no longer requires the landlord’s permission to plant a tree in front of the building. 

“I was proud to stand with my fellow BPs this morning to introduce our Million More Trees initiative, which would achieve 30% tree canopy coverage by 2035. This would be a major step towards health equity, sustainability & better quality of life, & an important investment in NYC,” wrote Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson in a tweet. 

Resources:

“NYC borough presidents call on Adams to plant one million new trees by 2030,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“A Million More Trees for New York City: Leaders Want a Greener Canopy,” by Dana Rubinstein (The New York Times, 2022)

“The State of the Urban Forest in New York City,” by Emily Nobel Maxwell Dr. Michael L. Treglia Dr. Montserrat Acosta-Morel Dr. Darran Crabtree Kate Galbo Tami Lin-Moges Alaina Van Slooten (The Nature Conservancy, 2021)

“Vision for ‘Million More Trees’ touted by all five Borough Presidents,” by Tequila Minsky (AMNY, 2022)

“Mayor de Blasio Celebrates One Millionth Tree with Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bette Midler, Volunteers, and Community Members,” (NYC, 2015)