Protecting San Francisco’s Trees

As part of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, the Urban Forestry Council (UFC) is charged with advocating for and protecting the city’s trees. Page Associate Principal Andrew Sullivan sits on the 15-member council, which advises the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the city departments on issues related the City’s urban forest.

The council has facilitated and supported the City of San Francisco Planning Department’s development of a comprehensive Urban Forest Master Plan. Andrew has been instrumental in the process to complete the first Phase ( Urban Forest Master Plan - Phase 1) of the Master Plan as well as the upcoming Phase 2. 

UFC is also charged with educating the public; developing tree-care standards; identifying funding needs, staffing needs, and opportunities for urban forest programs; securing adequate resources for urban forest programs and finally facilitating coordination of tree-management responsibilities among agencies and report on the state of the urban forest.

The Landmark Tree Program, which is under the council’s purview, currently protects a total of 20 landmarked trees. Trees with environmental, cultural, historical, or other importance within the city and county are eligible for nomination to receive landmark tree status. Unique and significant tree species ranging from a giant sequoia to cliff date palms are currently protected landmarks.

Andrew has been a member of the council since 2011 and brings his experience as a landscape architect with a broad knowledge of the city and a particular focus on design related issues to the monthly meetings.

“Being on the Council allows me to be a steward of one of the City’s really vital resources. It also is a way for me to give back to the community and help steer the way our trees and forests will develop in the decades to come,” says Andrew. “The Council has pushed programs and been an advocate for a lot of projects that will increase the City’s tree canopy and make San Francisco a more resilient and sustainable place for future generations.”