Happy Monday in sunny New York City, where wily, capricious spring is gracing us briefly once again before the rains return on Wednesday and Thursday.
Speaking of sun, city lawmakers introduced a new bill this week, called the Urban Forest Plan, that would expand the tree canopy throughout the five boroughs by 6.6%, from 23.4% coverage to 30%. The city currently sits under 45,000 acres of tree cover, an area roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
The problem is that all that green is not distributed equally. Certain neighborhoods, especially parts of Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx, experience up to 40% less tree cover than other areas. That means higher surface temperatures and an increased risk of heat-related illness. Because of historical inequities in land use investments, the neighborhoods that suffer from the city’s most severe canopy gaps, including mostly Brown- and Black-majority communities, are the same ones already facing environmental and economic burdens.
As heat waves and other extreme weather events become more common — and average summer temperatures continue to rise — the city’s 7 million trees play an increasingly vital role in providing cooling shade, mitigating flood risks and reducing air pollution. As the City Comptroller’s report puts it, “Tree canopy is increasingly recognized not as an amenity, but as essential infrastructure.” According to the report, most recent canopy gains were a result of natural tree growth and expansion, but that growth won’t expand the canopy enough. Experts advise that an aggressive tree planting approach is required to meet the city’s lofty goals.
“The Urban Forest Plan is a commitment that no matter your neighborhood, you deserve clean air, shade in the heat of summer and streets that reflect the possibility of our great city,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated.
Hundreds of thousands of new tree trunks? Dogs of New York City, rejoice!
Mamdani announced the largest set of free fan events in the country for the duration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — a decision that reverses an Adams administration plan to charge for tickets to the official fan zones.
Former Comptroller Brad Lander allegedly lobbied reluctant members of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force last year to support the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s real estate-heavy Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment plan, according to Crain’s New York Business.
The remains of a Bushwick soldier killed in action in July of 1943 were returned to his family at LaGuardia Airport on Friday, and have now been laid to rest after more than 80 years.
Kevin Gavin, 71, on Friday pleaded guilty to three killings carried out over six years inside the New York City Housing Authority’s Carter G. Woodson Houses senior home.
Actor, director and Gravesend native William DeMeo finished filming scenes for his latest movie, starring John Travolta. Read More Briefs
Our World In Photos
Photo: Ian Walton/AP
LONDON — A 26.2-mile win: Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia celebrates winning the women's race at the London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
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Xaverian announces construction to begin on building to include new facilities, chapel for students
A rendering of the exterior of the Michael T. Strianese ’74 Exploration and Innovation Center. Rendering: Xaverian
Xaverian High School on 7100 Shore Rd. announced it will build a new wing to the school, scheduled to be completed next year.
The Michael T. Strianese ’74 Exploration and Innovation Center will include a new chapel, six new classrooms, a STEM and fabrication lab, a dedicated business lab and a science lab. It is also set to have two office spaces and a faculty conference center.
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For the Road
Happy Birthday to B-52’s founder Kate Pierson!
On This Day in 1956, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “The Census Bureau reports that more Americans own their own homes than ever before. A survey made in February indicates that 60% of the nation’s families own their own homes.”
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