Harnessing the Power of Tree Canopy in NYC

Summers in New York City are like none other. For residents and visitors alike, the bustling metropolis is more than just a city—it’s a playground, a gathering place and a backdrop for endless adventure. Families stroll hand-in-hand, tourists explore endless destinations, and friends gather in parks and on stoops. The energy of the city moves in rhythm with the summer sun, casting a golden glow on everything it touches.

But New York summers also bring intense heat.

Before “cooling centers” and “heat advisories” became familiar terms, New Yorkers endured intense heat waves—sometimes finding a bit of relief under the shade of a tree. Today, New York City’s summers are hotter than ever. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death nationally, and some New Yorkers are more vulnerable to this than others. Unfortunately, the respite provided by trees is not equitably distributed across the city, and it is particularly lacking in low-income communities and communities of color.

That’s why The Nature Conservancy launched Future Forest NYC in 2019―an initiative to ensure that the social and environmental benefits the New York City urban forest provides are shared in a just and equitable way. This includes supporting a robust understanding of the NYC urban forest through science, supporting local stewardship work with partners, and convening and serving as a leading member of Forest for All NYC, a diverse coalition of over 200 members and growing.

Tree Canopy: A Vital Part of the Urban Forest

The NYC urban forest includes over 7 million trees across public and private property, along with the soil, plants, and wildlife that live there or pass through it. A key part of the urban forest is tree canopy, or the umbrella‑like layer of leaves and branches that stretch over our sidewalks, parks and neighborhoods, providing vital shade and helping keep temperatures down across the city.

Canopy provides shade and habitat for animals such as migrating birds, while offering additional benefits. However, it is just one part of the urban forest. Policy and funding help trees thrive, and people—such as those who care for, study and advocate for trees—also play a critical role. All New Yorkers have an important role to play in supporting the NYC urban forest.

The City of New York released its first-ever Urban Forest Plan in 2026 and set a goal of equitably expanding the urban forest canopy to cover 30% of the city by 2040. The Nature Conservancy is proud to have helped secure the legislation that led to this plan and to have partnered with the Mayor’s Office on its development. We are eager to support implementation efforts and help ensure its long-term success. People and communities play an important role in growing a healthy urban forest, so it’s critical that local perspectives and needs help shape what progress looks like in expanding tree canopy throughout the five boroughs.

In Your Neighborhood

Learn about the tree canopy and opportunities for more in your area through the fact sheets available below. Use them on your own or with local organizations to advance more equitable canopy in your neighborhood. Click on the map below.

Keeping trees healthy and expanding their canopy helps sustain and increase the urban forest’s many benefits, from keeping areas cooler in the summer by reducing the urban heat island effect, to absorbing stormwater, and supporting people’s wellbeing and quality of life. As the frequency and intensity of storms and deadly heat waves increase due to climate change, the urban forest is critical for minimizing impacts on New Yorkers.