Fort Lauderdale, a town that’s turned heads and lost trees with its ever-growing skyline, is now embracing an ambitious plan to grow its urban forest.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved an urban forestry master plan that challenges the city to plant up to 276,000 trees by 2040 to achieve a tree canopy that would cover one-third of the city. Getting the job done would cost up to $103 million, requiring trees to be planted on both public land as well as private property.
“I just want folks to understand one thing: This is an aspirational thing. It’s not a guaranteed thing,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said before the vote. “In order to accomplish the level of forestry and canopy that is called for here, it’s going to take tens of millions of dollars. Finding that money is going to be the challenge (but) we’re going to try our best to achieve it.”
One local artist and two community leaders spoke up for the trees Tuesday night, encouraging the commission to approve the plan.
Ted Inserra, president of the River Oaks Civic Association, urged city leaders to keep the tree-lined median on Las Olas Boulevard.
A current plan would remove the trees and the median. New trees would be planted along the sidewalk on either side of Las Olas.
“We have the very healthy black olive trees that line the median strip of Las Olas Boulevard to the mangroves in River Oaks, Riverside neighborhood and George English Park. All (of them) need to be protected, fought for and cherished.”
Stephanie McMillan, an artist and third-generation resident, told the commission it was important to save the city’s trees.
“There’s a development in my neighborhood that’s going to take down 50 or more mature trees, including gumbo limbos, mahoganies and Sabal palms,” she said. “I wish that wasn’t going to happen. I just want to speak for the trees.”
Suzee Bailey, founder of Residents for Resilience, suggested the city increase fines for illegal tree removal and use stop-work orders to prevent flagrant violations.
To report tree abuse to the city, residents can call 954-828-8000 or use the FixtIt FTL app.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan