Urban Forest Master Plan
What is the Urban Forest Master Plan project?
The city is in the process of creating its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP). The UFMP will guide planning and management of Fairfax’s urban forest over the next 20 years – and we need your help. It will explore topics including tree care, planting needs, staff capacity, budget, invasive species, tree-related policy, volunteer opportunities, and other topics discovered through research, analysis, and community input.
Where are we in the process?
The project includes two phases and four community meetings. Phase 1 was completed in February 2025; Phase 2 began in February 2025 and is estimated to be completed in January 2026. See Phase 2 timeline below.
What is my role?
You are a local expert! By living in the city, you have daily opportunities to observe your neighborhood and the community’s urban forest. Your input is critical to ensure the Urban Forest Master Plan responds to the needs of residents.
Last updated: October 2025
What is the Urban Forest Master Plan project?
The city is in the process of creating its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP). The UFMP will guide planning and management of Fairfax’s urban forest over the next 20 years – and we need your help. It will explore topics including tree care, planting needs, staff capacity, budget, invasive species, tree-related policy, volunteer opportunities, and other topics discovered through research, analysis, and community input.
Where are we in the process?
The project includes two phases and four community meetings. Phase 1 was completed in February 2025; Phase 2 began in February 2025 and is estimated to be completed in January 2026. See Phase 2 timeline below.
What is my role?
You are a local expert! By living in the city, you have daily opportunities to observe your neighborhood and the community’s urban forest. Your input is critical to ensure the Urban Forest Master Plan responds to the needs of residents.
Last updated: October 2025
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Introduction
about 1 month agoShare Introduction on Facebook Share Introduction on Twitter Share Introduction on Linkedin Email Introduction linkThis section includes the following (pg. i-7(External link)):
- Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents
- Introduction to the plan
- Vision and Guiding Principles
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
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What Do We Have?
about 1 month agoShare What Do We Have? on Facebook Share What Do We Have? on Twitter Share What Do We Have? on Linkedin Email What Do We Have? linkThis section includes the following (pg. 8-22(External link)):
- Natural history and climate of Fairfax
- Urban forest benefits
- Fairfax's tree canopy cover and public tree inventory
- Background on non-native invasive species and management
- Current city operations review and initial recommendations
- Current funding and potential funding opportunities
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
For more information on detailed findings from the project's Phase 1, see Appendices A-E(External link).
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What Do We Want?
about 1 month agoShare What Do We Want? on Facebook Share What Do We Want? on Twitter Share What Do We Want? on Linkedin Email What Do We Want? linkThis section includes the following (pg. 23-26(External link)):
- Key themes from stakeholder input
- Expanded explanation of the Plan's Vision, Guiding Principles, and Goals
- Community comments, quotes, photos, and poem throughout
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
For more detailed information on the project's engagement process, see Appendix D(External link).
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How Do We Get There? (Introduction)
about 1 month agoShare How Do We Get There? (Introduction) on Facebook Share How Do We Get There? (Introduction) on Twitter Share How Do We Get There? (Introduction) on Linkedin Email How Do We Get There? (Introduction) linkThis section includes the following (pg. 27-29(External link)):
- An overview of the Implementation Plan
- A key on how to read and understand the Implementation Plan
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
Appendix F(External link) is a summary table of the Implementation Plan and is available as a separate discussion board for reference.
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How Do We Get There? (Objectives)
about 1 month agoShare How Do We Get There? (Objectives) on Facebook Share How Do We Get There? (Objectives) on Twitter Share How Do We Get There? (Objectives) on Linkedin Email How Do We Get There? (Objectives) linkThis section includes five objectives: PROTECT (pg. 30-41(External link)), REGULATE (pg. 41-55(External link)), GROW (pg. 56-67(External link)), MANAGE (pg. 68-79(External link)), and ENGAGE (pg. 80-89(External link)). Each objective includes the following:
- Strategies, actions, and supporting actions with timeframes
- Key findings from "What Do We Have?"
- Existing capacity and partners
- Resource demands
- Strategy metrics
- Call out boxes with helpful background, examples, or supporting information
PROTECT - Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
REGULATE - Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
GROW - Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
MANAGE - Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
ENGAGE - Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.Appendix F(External link) is a summary table of the Implementation Plan and is available as a separate discussion board for reference.
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How Are We Doing?
about 1 month agoShare How Are We Doing? on Facebook Share How Are We Doing? on Twitter Share How Are We Doing? on Linkedin Email How Are We Doing? linkThis section includes the following (pg. 90-94(External link)).
- An introduction to metrics and tracking progress
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) and how they relate to the Plan's Goals
- Table 6: Fairfax's KPI's, baseline, target, and current status
- Annual tracking and reporting
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
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Appendices (A-E only)
about 1 month agoShare Appendices (A-E only) on Facebook Share Appendices (A-E only) on Twitter Share Appendices (A-E only) on Linkedin Email Appendices (A-E only) linkThe following appendices are included in this section (pg. 95-135(External link)):
- Appendix A: Glossary
- Appendix B: References
- Appendix C: Non-Native Invasive Species Assessment (2024)
- Appendix D: Community Engagement
- Appendix E: Operations Review
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on the discussion board.
Appendix F(External link) is available as a separate discussion board for reference to "How Do We Get There?"
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Appendix F - Implementation Table
about 1 month agoShare Appendix F - Implementation Table on Facebook Share Appendix F - Implementation Table on Twitter Share Appendix F - Implementation Table on Linkedin Email Appendix F - Implementation Table linkThis section (pg. 136-147(External link)) is a summary table to "How Do We Get There?"
It's a quick reference guide to the plan's objectives, strategies, actions, and timeframes, without the other details. It also assigns a lead and support role based on current city department roles and responsibilities.
Click this link(External link) to read this section and then comment on this discussion board.
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Project Timeline
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Project kickoff
Urban Forest Master Plan has finished this stageInitial project planning and advertising
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Public Engagement & Outreach
Urban Forest Master Plan has finished this stageA successful UFMP is informed by community input throughout the planning process. Virtual and in-person events will be held over the 18-month process to inform the community about the plan, solicit feedback, and address questions and concerns.
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State of the Urban Forest - Invasive Vegetation Assessment and Policy Review
Urban Forest Master Plan has finished this stageProject team will examine all components of the urban forest and the state of its existing condition. This will include a city program and policy review; an invasive species assessment in public woodlands, trails, and parks; stakeholder interviews and surveys, and review of staffing/funding levels.
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Master Plan Outline and Draft
Urban Forest Master Plan is currently at this stageInformation collected during Phase 1 will be summarized and analyzed to develop a draft outline and the plan's main components. The project team will share and solicit public input along the way.
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Final Master Plan
this is an upcoming stage for Urban Forest Master PlanDevelopment of a 20-year Urban Forest Master Plan broken into 5-year implementation cycles for an adaptive management approach. Plan will include a community forest vision, goals, top priority actions with implementation steps.
Meetings and Events
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January 27 2026
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January 26 2026
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December 08 2025
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December 02 2025
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October 23 2025
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October 10 → October 29 2025
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September 17 2025
Who's Listening
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Urban Forest Manager
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Stewardship Coordinator
Documents and Meeting Summaries
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Public Meeting #4 - Draft Review
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Urban Forest Master Plan - October 2025 draft (7.16 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 4 Presentation (English) (25 MB) (pptx)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 4 Display Boards (English) (1.34 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 4 Presentation Recording (English) (34 MB) (mp4)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 4 Minutes (English) (184 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Presentación Reunión Pública 4 (Español) (6.09 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 4 Tableros de Exhibición (Español) (1.35 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 4 Notas (Español) (216 KB) (pdf)
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Public Meeting #3 - Recommendations Workshop
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 3 Voting Boards (English) (460 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 3 Presentation (English) (4.02 MB) (pptx)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 3 Minutes (English) (167 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Engage Page Voting Results (English) (475 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Presentación Reunión Pública 3 (Español) (2.37 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 3 Tablero de votación (Español) (464 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 3 Notas (Español) (197 KB) (pdf)
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City Council Work Session - 5/27/2025
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Non-native Invasive Assessment and Management Plan
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Public Meeting #2 - Visioning Session
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 2 Presentation Recording (English) (28.7 MB) (mp4)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 2 Presentation (English) (1.62 MB) (pdf)
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Presentación Reunión Pública 2 de la UFMP de Fairfax (Español) (1.62 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 2 Minutes (English) (182 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 2 Notas (Español) (199 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 2 Station Discussion Points (English) (67.4 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 2 Puntos de discusión de la estación (Español) (70.5 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 2 Voting Board (English) (3.53 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 2 Tablero de votación de preferencia visual (Español) (3.82 MB) (pdf)
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Public Meeting #1 - Open House and Information Session
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 1 Presentation Recording (English) (87 MB) (mp4)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 1 Minutes (English) (171 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 1 Notas (Español) (155 KB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 1 Display Boards (English) (2.39 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 1 Tableros (Español) (1.42 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Public Meeting 1 Presentation (English) (2.35 MB) (pdf)
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Fairfax UFMP Reunión Pública 1 Presentación (Español) (2.45 MB) (pdf)
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Invasive Plant Survey - Summer 2024
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Existing Condition Assessments
