The City of Irvines Ambitious Forestation Program

Irvine has been recognized as a leader in park systems, ranking No. 1 in California and No. 4 in the United States according to the Public Land Trust’s ParkScore Index. This prestigious ranking reflects the city’s commitment to providing accessible parks and green spaces, evaluated on criteria like park access, acreage, and investment. Mayor Larry Agran, who previously spearheaded the successful campaign to plant 500,000 trees, is now advocating for a new ambitious goal of adding 200,000 more trees to combat climate change.

The proposed sustainable urban forest aims to repopulate the city's Open Space Preserve with native oak trees while transforming blacktop areas around schools into small forested spaces. Additionally, the initiative plans to enhance parks with more trees for shade and create green medians along major roadways. A significant aspect of the program is the collaboration with homeowners' associations, which will receive trees from the city for maintenance in pocket parks. This community-focused approach is designed to foster local engagement and stewardship of the urban forest. Residents are encouraged to take a quick survey, allowing them to voice their opinions and contribute to the city's forestation strategy.