The benefits of the forest
New York City’s forested natural areas span more than 10,500 acres citywide, in NYC’s parks, on private property, and on land owned by state and local agencies. Five of our seven million trees are in natural areas. These forests provide a quarter of NYC’s canopy, cool the air, absorb stormwater, filter pollutants, store carbon, support biodiversity, and provide New Yorkers a place to connect with nature.
The many benefits provided by our forests show how important it is to protect them. The Natural Areas Conservancy is committed to caring for our forested natural areas to ensure they are healthy and thriving. A decade of field work and research has taught us that forest condition directly impacts the benefits our forest provides. As forests degrade, their ability to deliver important ecosystem services declines, and the cost of restoring them increases.
Growing healthy forests across the city
We’re proud to lead forest restoration efforts in natural areas throughout New York City in partnership with local conservancies and other organizations.
Our expert staff conduct research, develop restoration plans, manage on-the-ground work, coordinate community outreach, and conduct post-planting care.
Our restoration efforts are made possible by significant state investment and dedicated private philanthropy, which allow us to foster healthier communities and cultivate more resilient urban forests.
Read Press Release(this link opens in new window)
Celebrating the Urban Forest Plan
In April 2026, the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice released the City’s first-ever, comprehensive Urban Forest Plan. The NAC is proud to have contributed to this unified vision for urban forest care. We provided data and technical expertise, hosted 10 community input sessions with New Yorkers across all five boroughs, and ensured natural areas were a top priority in the plan.
According to the Urban Forest Plan, the City is required to meet a 30% canopy target by 2040, up from 23% currently. The NAC continues to advocate for increased funding to ensure this goal is met because growing the urban forest means investing in maintenance of our existing forested natural areas and both professional and volunteer stewardship—not just putting new trees in the ground.
Explore the Plan(this link opens in new window)
Forest Management Framework
In 2018, we released the Forest Management Framework in partnership with NYC Parks. This strategic and comprehensive plan outlines how to bolster and protect NYC’s vital urban forests. It was the first citywide vision for this critical piece of infrastructure; in 2026 we plan to release a status update to the framework with new analysis and recommendations for care and funding.
Learn More(this link opens in new window)
Forest Identification and Restoration Selection Tool
We developed the Forest Identification and Restoration Selection Tool (FIRST) to assist planners and land managers in identifying the kind of forest they are currently working in based on observed tree species and geographic conditions. The tool then suggests climate-adapted tree species that would be appropriate to plant in that type of forest.
Go FIRST(this link opens in new window)-
NYC Nature Network
We’re bringing together local forestry professionals to strengthen our community of practice and tackle urban forestry challenges and goals together.
Get Involved(this link opens in new window) -
Forests in Cities
In 2019, we launched the network to advance healthy urban forests and now promote natural areas science, management, and partnerships in 26 cities.
Explore the Network(this link opens in new window)
