🌳 Urban Forest Management Plan Adopted! 🌳

We’re excited to announce that on July 22, 2025, the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners officially adopted the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP)! This milestone represents years of collaborative work, community input, and environmental vision coming together to guide the future of Tarpon’s trees and green spaces.

Our urban forest is more than just beautiful — it improves air and water quality, provides wildlife habitats, cools our neighborhoods, and boosts property values. But our canopy has declined in recent years due to storms, policy changes, and redevelopment. This plan, developed with your input, outlines clear, actionable steps to reverse those trends and ensure a healthy, thriving urban forest for generations to come 🌱.

The UFMP lays out a 10-year strategy to grow and protect our urban canopy, improve storm resilience, enhance public health, and increase access to nature for all residents. Rooted in the community's priorities and aligned with the City’s Strategic and Sustainability Plans, the UFMP includes actionable goals like adopting the 3-35-300 framework, updating tree ordinances, and launching annual progress reporting.

Highlights of the UFMP:
✅ Adopt the 3-35-300 benchmark: aim for everyone to see at least 3 trees from home, 35% canopy cover in neighborhoods, and a park within 300 yards of every residence.
✅ Expand and protect our tree canopy through proactive planting, preservation, and smart policies.
✅ Engage the community with fun workshops, Arbor Day events, and opportunities for everyone to get involved.
✅ Aligns with our City’s Strategic and Sustainability Plans to build a greener, healthier, and more resilient Tarpon Springs 🌿.

Community support is strong: over 80% of residents rated our urban forest as “very important”, and we’re listening! Together, we can make sure our trees keep telling the story of Tarpon Springs — from our historic sponge docks to our vibrant neighborhoods.

🌿 Thank you to the Sustainability Committee for your thoughtful guidance and letter of support. Your dedication helped turn this plan into a reality.

🎯 The work doesn’t stop here — now begins the exciting phase of implementation. Let’s continue working together to make Tarpon Springs greener, healthier, and more resilient!

📝 You can read the full plan and provide feedback at https://connecttarponsprings.com/urban-forestry