Case Study

Rochester Urban Forest Master Plan, Rochester NY

The Challenge

Despite changing environmental challenges and community needs, the City of Rochester’s urban forest had not been comprehensively planned for in years. The city required a new Urban Forest Master Plan that would address tree canopy expansion, improve maintenance practices, and enhance the overall health of the urban forest. Importantly, the previous Urban Forest Master Plan did not include any community engagement, leaving a gap in understanding residents’ needs and preferences.

Highland Planning was hired to lead the community engagement portion of the Urban Forest Master Plan 2024 Update.

Highland Planning was tasked with conducting an extensive community engagement process to inform the development of the Urban Forest Master Plan. The project’s success was a direct result of innovative outreach strategies and the community’s active participation. Together with the City of Rochester, Highland Planning:

+ Residents Engaged

Surveys Taken

Local Tree Ambassadors

Laying the Groundwork for a Vibrant Future

By employing creative outreach strategies and fostering direct community involvement, the project produced a comprehensive plan that truly reflects the community’s vision for their urban forest. The engagement process not only informed the plan but also laid the groundwork for long-term community stewardship of Rochester’s trees, ensuring a greener and more vibrant future for all residents.

Impactful Results

The Rochester Urban Forest Master Plan engagement process yielded significant results:

Increased Community Awareness: The outreach efforts raised public understanding of the urban forest's benefits and value.
Diverse Input: Feedback was gathered from a wide range of residents, including those who might not typically attend traditional public meetings.
Community-Driven Recommendations: The plan's recommendations directly reflected public input on issues such as tree species selection, maintenance practices, and community involvement.
Fostered Stewardship: The engagement process cultivated a sense of ownership and stewardship of the urban forest among residents.
Lasting Partnerships: Relationships were built with local school groups and community organizations, setting the stage for ongoing collaboration in urban forest management.

The Rochester Urban Forest Master Plan is a success that demonstrates the power of innovative community engagement. The project produced a comprehensive plan reflecting the community’s vision for their urban forest by employing creative outreach strategies and fostering direct community involvement. The engagement process informed the plan and laid the groundwork for long-term community stewardship of Rochester’s trees, ensuring a greener and more vibrant future for all residents.

Innovative Engagement Strategies:

The Rochester Urban Forest Master Plan engagement process employed several unique and effective strategies:

Community Tree Ambassador Program: Eight local residents were employed to serve as ambassadors for the city's urban forest, conducting door-to-door outreach and organizing pop-up events.
Interactive Public Meetings: Meetings featured activities like writing love letters to favorite city trees and tree-type preference voting.
Experiential Events: The project included community tree plantings and urban forest walking tours in each of the city's quadrants.
Pop-up Events: Dozens of pop-ups were held at libraries, recreation centers, compost drop-offs, and the city's public market.
Online Engagement: An Instant Input survey and project page allowed for convenient digital participation.

“Highland Planning’s work on Rochester’s Urban Forestry project was outstanding. Their innovative approach, attention to detail, and expert public engagement strategies resulted in a comprehensive, visually impressive plan that has reignited interest in urban forestry across our city. From start to finish, their professionalism and dedication made the process seamless for our team. The final document exceeds our expectations and is a testament to Highland Planning’s expertise. We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome and the renewed enthusiasm it has generated for Rochester’s urban forest.”

Brian M. Liberti
Director of Buildings and Parks
City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services

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