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Set Higher Standards

Replacement & Mitigation

Meaningful canopy restoration requires more than replacement—it demands smart planting, long-term care, and enforcement.

 

A well-managed mitigation fund can turn tree loss into lasting gains for equity and climate resilience.

Image by Vitor Monthay
Image by Valeriia Neganova

OVERVIEW

Preserving trees is only half the battle—where and how we plant matters.

Mitigation formulas based solely on trunk diameter often yield short-lived replacements that fail to restore canopy. Stronger, canopy-based standards should prioritize soil quality, native species, adequate space, and multi-year care.

 

To be effective, these standards also require adequate staffing and funding to ensure consistent enforcement.

 

A well-managed Tree Mitigation Fund can then reinvest in urban forestry, especially in low-canopy areas, turning mitigation into a tool for ecological recovery and climate resilience.

Image by Kai Pilger

Policy Priorities

SET HIGHER STANDARDS

Preserving trees is only half the battle—how and where we replant matters. Smarter, canopy-based standards and a well-managed Tree Mitigation Fund can turn loss into long-term, equitable recovery.

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