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Goals provide the overall outcomes that are envisioned by the plan. Objectives provide more specificity by breaking goals into the components that make up each goal. Like goals, objectives are desired outcomes, but are more specific and limited in scope.
For example, suppose you have set a goal to increase canopy cover from 20% to 25% within 10 years. This goal is explicit and quantifiable, but doesn't indicate what needs to be done. To reach the target canopy cover, you would at least need to:
- maintain most or all of your existing canopy cover through proper tree maintenance and protection of existing trees
- plant additional trees and/or allow existing small trees to grow and expand their canopy cover
The objectives for this goal would include these and other outcomes that are needed to help increase canopy cover to the target level within the target time frame. Some objectives can contribute to the realization of two or more related goals. For instance, tree planting can contribute to both canopy cover and increased age diversity in the urban forest. You may want to cite a given objective under multiple goals to show such relationships.
The combination of goals and objectives spell out what you want for your urban forest. They describe your desired destinations. How you get to those destinations, by using specific actions and tools, is described in the following page.
The following examples list goals and their corresponding objectives. In many municipal plans, objectives are stated as policies. The examples are grouped under the general categories (tree resources, management, and community) used previously.
Tree Resources
Goal 3. Choose and locate new trees to maximize tree-related benefits.- Objective 3.1. Match species to sites to the greatest degree possible.
- Objective 3.2. Increase the use of large-canopy trees where practical to maximize tree benefits relative to costs.
- Objective 3.3. Locate new tree plantings in areas that will maximize energy conservation in buildings and shading of pavement.
Planning for the Future of Rocklin's Urban Forest Prepared for the City of Rocklin Community Development Department, September 2006
[Goal] 3. Preserve and Protect Native, Significant, and Historical Treescapes.- Promote protection guidelines for conservation of historical treescapes through the City of Walla Walla's Heritage Tree Ordinance. (Municipal Code 12.50)
- Plant potential trees or groves to attain significant historical and aesthetic value.
- Promote memorial and honorary tree groves.
Urban Forest Managment Plan, City of Walla Walla, WA, September 2006
Note that in this example Policies are specified rather than Objectives. In this plan, actions and standards (not shown) are listed under policies.
Urban Forest Management
Goal 4. Facilitate collaboration among City departments related to issues and projects involving trees.- Policy 4.1 Review existing Tree Division staffing levels. Create City Arborist (and/or professional Urban Forester) job description and continue to maintain the position with a highly qualified urban forester.
- Policy 4.2 Follow existing plan review process that includes the City Arborist's review of public works projects and/or projects requiring a building permit or discretionary project review and their potential impacts to the Community Forest, according to provisions of the Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection Ordinance.
- Policy 4.3 Establish an annual tree management plan, prepared by the City Arborist.
- Policy 4.4 Implement a landscape inspection and ordinance enforcement process to promote compliance with City policies and regulations that influence the Community Forest.
City of Davis Community Forest Management Plan, 2002
Community
11. GOAL - create an Urban Forestry Program that is publicized, easily understood, has broad support, promotes pride in our tree city designation and is enforced.
Policies:- A. develop a public education program that promotes Lacey's distinction as a Tree City USA and provides support to individual citizens and home owner associations concerning tree issues.
- B. Develop a program for meetings with home owner associations to help associations manage privately owned tree resources.
- C. Develop and implement a program of informing new residents of expectations for tree emphasis and tree regulations.
- D. Develop and implement an enforcement method that is fair, bused upon professional evaluation, and promotes the vision of the Urban Forestry Plan.
- E. Develop an enforcement program that includes education of the benefits of trees and maintenance of trees, and involves fines for non compliance. Fines shall be based upon a fair value of the trees lost and replacement of trees. Fines may be used to support the city urban forestry program through maintenance and planting of street and park trees.
- F. Work with private and public entities to create partnerships for developing education and community action programs promoting the value of maintaining and conserving natural vegetation and habitats.
- G. Develop interpretive trails and view sheds within conservation areas and natural parks to provide recreation opportunities and education to the citizens of Lacey.
12. Goal-create a citizen advisory board for urban forestry issues.
Policies:- A. develop a Forest Board that is made up of tree specialists and citizens representative of the scope of urban forestry issues in our city.
- B. Develop a set of operation criteria for the Forestry Board that has it develop and consider urban forest plan amendments, work on special urban forestry projects and advise the council of urban forest issues.
City of Lacey, Urban Forest Management Plan April 2005
- What issues and trends have been identified relative to tree resources, management, community interactions?
- What practices would need to be continued or changed to maintain the existing urban forest?
- What would have to happen in various program areas (tree resources, management, community) to bring your vision for the urban forest to reality?
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