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Redress Inequities <br />Proactive Maintenance and Growth <br />Ecosystem Benefits for All <br />Only 8% of San Leandro is covered by tree c a nopy, an d that canopy is not distri buted evenly across our <br />neighborhoods The history of racial segregation in the United States, ex clusionary housing p o l icies, redlin i ng , <br />and forced removal of Indigenous commu nities coincide with th e inequitable dist ribution of t ree c a nopy i n <br />San Leandro today. T h ese systemic injustices have resulted i n vulnerable com m u n ities who a re <br />disproportionately exposed to the im p acts of climate cha n ge, such as flooding, urba n heat islands, and poo r <br />air quality. The City of Sa n Leandro is prioritizing strategies to distribu te a variety of t rees t o areas that h av e <br />historically received less urban forest i n vestmen t. <br />Over 16,000 trees line San Leandro's streets, creating a sense of place for com m unity membe rs and serving as <br />a critical piece of the City's infrastructure system. Planti n g trees is one of many strategies t hat can help t o <br />mitigate climate issues, and trees are the only example of infrastructure that increases in v alue after <br />installatio n. As trees mature, they provide shade, clean the a ir, and reduce stor mwater. Research shows that <br />emotional, psychological, and physica l health all improve with the presence and proximity of trees. These u r b a n <br />trees require proactive maintenance to th rive in the h arsh and ever-ch angi n g conditions of an u r b a n <br />environment. <br />A healthy and resil ient u r ban fo rest does not appear overn ight. It is plan t ed based on t h e c ommon p ra cti ces, <br />plans, and policies of today, maintained by the next generation 's tree stewards, a n d enjoyed by ou r <br />grandchildren. With smart planning and equitable policies, al l residents can benefi t from tree canopy. Trees <br />are critical urban infrast ructure t hat are essential to publ ic health and w ell-being. The City h as ide n tified areas <br />where there are the greatest soc·1oeconomic needs, lack of tree c a nopy, highest heat severi t y, and high e st <br />pollutant levels. This shaped the development of the priority planti ng locations. By focus i ng investmen t in <br />these neighborhoods, the City can not only address environmental justice issues, but b ri n g abou t much <br />needed tree benefits to frontline communi t ies. <br />While tree planting efforts are key to this ini t iative, it is equally as i m portant to fact or in post-planting ca re and <br />community stewardship. With care and deliberate plann·1ng, t he urba n forest can grow in value o v er t'1me and <br />contribute to shared improvements i n public health, resilience, and well being. The contents o f this Tree Master <br />Plan reflect a shared commitment from the City, its partners, a nd the commu n ity t o manage a nd grow a <br />sustainable and equitable urban forest. <br />7 SA N LEA NDRO TREE tvlAST ER P LAN