The City of Rochester, in partnership with the community and urban forestry consultants at PlanIT Geo, completed this Urban Forest Master Plan in 2021. This plan is a guide to maintain, protect, and enhance Rochester’s already extensive tree canopy cover resource and the multitude of associated benefits.

Prior to the development of the City of Rochester, Minnesota’s Urban Forest Master Plan (“the plan”), the City’s Parks and Forestry Division’s City Forester and supporting staff worked with City departments, partners, and the community to identify the needs of the urban forest. Four City departments engaged in Rochester’s urban forest planning effort; each bring important expertise, perspective, and resources to this commitment—to the tune of nine City staff and nearly $1.4 million dollars (2020) to manage over 100,000 public trees.

The Urban Forest Master Plan extends beyond maintenance and operational guidance to include a variety of long-term goals, strategies, and priorities to achieve optimal levels of urban forest management, sustainability, and equity in a comprehensive and systematic manner. Achieving the goals set forth in this plan requires a shared commitment and partnership between the City and its community to sustain a thriving urban forest providing benefits to Rochester’s environment, economy, and well-being for future generations.

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