Urban Forestry Advisory Committee

The Urban Forestry Advisory Committee is an intentional way to engage residents from diverse neighborhoods and backgrounds. The number one goal of the city’s urban forest plan was to put equity first as we work to expand the urban forest canopy. The lived experience and knowledge of committee members will help to shape the plans and actions of the urban forestry division so that the benefits of our urban trees will be available and accessible to all residents of the city.

• Applications are due by Friday, August 2, 2024.
• Members will be appointed by the Parks Commissioner from a pool of self-nominated candidates
• If there are not a sufficient pool of self-nominated candidates for the required committee profiles, the Parks Commissioner may fill any remaining vacancies as appropriate

URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

The Commissioner shall convene an Urban Forestry Advisory Committee solely for the purpose of advising the Commissioner with regards to implementation of the Urban Forest Plan. The Advisory Committee’s purview shall be limited to implementation of the Urban Forest Plan and exclude matters relating to specific removals or implementation of M.G.L. c. 87. The Advisory Committee shall have at least seven (7) members. All members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the Commissioner. The Advisory Committee shall be staffed by the Department. The Commissioner shall prioritize participation from residents from historically marginalized or under-canopied neighborhoods and invite participation from residents between the ages of fourteen (14) and seventeen (17). The Commissioner may establish subcommittees, working groups or any other forms of subordinate organization of the advisory committee as may be necessary and useful to carry out its advisory functions. The Advisory Committee shall be convened within the first six (6) months following the adoption of this subsection and shall present an annual report of its activities to the Commission.