Urban Forestry Planning and Coalition Building to Support Natural Areas in Cleveland

Authors

• Sara G. Tillie, Cleveland Tree CoalitionFollow
• Constance E. Hausman, Cleveland MetroparksFollow
• Sarah E. O'Keeffe, City of Cleveland Mayor's Office of SustainabilityFollow

Publication Date

10-20-2026

Greater Cleveland is focusing on urban reforestation and revitalizing natural areas through multiple planning efforts and partnerships. In a legacy city with multiple challenges but also strong non-profit, research, and philanthropic sectors, the need to coordinate planning, implementation, and evaluation is vital to future success. Cleveland has spent the past decade implementing The Cleveland Tree Plan (2015), its first long-range urban forestry plan, and utilizing the collective impact model to build a strong coalition and leverage cross-sector partnerships. Through this approach, Cleveland is driving large-scale social change. Collaboration is more than just working together; it is maintaining systems that guide the broader coalition, enable an effective use of resources, and track progress towards shared goals

Recommended Citation

Tillie, Sara G.; Hausman, Constance E.; and O'Keeffe, Sarah E. (2026) "Urban Forestry Planning and Coalition Building to Support Natural Areas in Cleveland," Cities and the Environment (CATE): Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 48.
DOI: 10.15365/1932-7048.1443
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cate/vol13/iss1/48

DOI

10.15365/1932-7048.1443