For a city known for its concrete jungle, New York City is making a bold and exciting commitment to its natural side — the city’s first-ever Urban Forest Plan, a monumental undertaking that promises to transform our urban landscape and bring the benefits of nature to every corner of the five boroughs.
What is the Urban Forest Plan?
Mandated by Local Law 148 of 2023, this groundbreaking plan sets an ambitious goal: to increase New York City’s tree canopy cover from its current 22% to a robust 30% by 2035. But it’s more than just planting trees; it’s a comprehensive roadmap for managing, protecting, and equitably expanding the city’s entire “urban forest”—which includes over 7 million trees on public and private land, from street trees and parks to natural forests and even private yards.
Why is this Plan So Important?
The benefits of a thriving urban forest are immense and crucial for a city like ours:
Cooler City: Trees are natural air conditioners, mitigating the urban heat island effect that makes our city hotter, especially in neighborhoods with less green space. They can lower street temperatures by several degrees, providing vital relief during scorching summers.
Cleaner Air: Our urban trees act as natural filters, removing thousands of tons of air pollutants annually, which can significantly improve public health, particularly for those with respiratory issues.
Stormwater Management: Tree roots absorb millions of gallons of stormwater runoff, helping to reduce flooding and protect our waterways from pollution.
Enhanced Well-being: Studies consistently show that access to green spaces improves mental health, reduces stress, and promotes physical activity. A greener city means a healthier, happier populace.
Biodiversity Boost: Expanding the tree canopy creates vital habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, enriching the city’s biodiversity.
Environmental Justice: Historically, tree canopy has been unequally distributed across the city, with lower-income neighborhoods often having fewer trees and facing greater environmental burdens. This plan aims to address these disparities by prioritizing equitable tree planting in disadvantaged communities.
Community at the Core
One of the most exciting aspects of the Urban Forest Plan is its emphasis on community involvement. The city recognizes that for this plan to truly succeed, it needs the input, experiences, and recommendations of New Yorkers from all walks of life. Various community engagement events—including workshops and “walk-shops” in different boroughs—have been held, and a public survey is open (though note that the deadline for input is June 30, 2025 – so if you haven’t participated, there’s still a brief window!). This collaborative approach ensures that the plan reflects the diverse needs and desires of our neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead
The Urban Forest Plan is a testament to New York City’s commitment to a more sustainable, resilient, and livable future. It acknowledges that trees are not just a luxury, but essential infrastructure that provides invaluable services to our communities. As this plan takes root, we can look forward to a greener, healthier, and more equitable New York City for generations to come.
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
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