What happened?
During the July 8 Indianapolis City-County Council meeting, the council committed to developing a plan to acquire, preserve, and maintain urban forests. The plan is set to begin by the second quarter of 2025.
The council also committed to reviewing the 2025 budget and future funding to implement the plan as a part of the city’s parks system.
The Indiana Forest Alliance and councilors in support of special resolution proposal No. 246 requested that the 2025 city budget include funding to purchase at-risk urban forests in Marion County and add them to the Indy Parks inventory.
“Urban forests are difference-makers for residents,” said Councillor Dan Boots, who represents District 3. “We spend millions yearly on gray infrastructure, i.e., concrete, to control stormwater. Why not spend a few million on protecting green infrastructure, which protects our lands from flooding through natural absorption?”
Summary
The council voted to review the 2025 and future budgets for discretionary funding to preserve urban forests equitably. The special resolution requests that Mayor Hogsett include substantial funding in the 2025 budget to purchase at-risk urban forests and place them in Indy Parks’ inventory.
“We need to invest in these places for the people of Indianapolis. Thank you very much for this, and let’s hope that the administration can find a way to start this process,” said Jeff Stant, executive director of Indiana Forest Alliance.
What’s next?
- The next full City-County Council meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., in Room 260.
This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Esmé Barniskis, who covered the July 8 Indianapolis City-County Council meeting. Read more about what happened. Want to join Documenters? Learn more here
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