The City of Asheville announced on Mar. 11 that its bi-monthly radio show, What’s Up AVL!, is focusing this week on the Urban Forestry Master Plan, including upcoming deadlines for a community survey and an in-person workshop at the Asheville Arboretum.
The initiative aims to encourage public participation in shaping the city’s approach to urban forestry. Community members are invited to provide input through a survey and by attending a workshop, as part of ongoing efforts to engage residents in city planning and sustainability projects.
Host Sam Parada interviews Keith Aitken, Urban Forester, and Kristina Israel, Communication & Public Engagement Manager with the City of Asheville, about how residents can get involved. The show airs live on Wednesdays at noon, with replays available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:30-1:00 p.m. on WRES 100.7 FM. Previous episodes can also be found on the City’s YouTube channel.
Asheville’s City Hall at 70 Court Plaza serves as the central administrative hub for municipal operations, according to the official website. The city uses its City Plans initiative for long-term community engagement and planning to foster sustainable growth and equitable development according to the official website.
Asheville operates under a council-manager government structure with a mayor and six city council members serving four-year staggered terms to oversee policy according to the official website. The city delivers municipal services and governance within its limits according to the official website, coordinating among departments such as Public Works, Water Resources, and Planning for effective management of services and community engagement according to the official website.
The council-manager form of government allows elected officials to set policy while a city manager handles daily operations according to the official website. This structure supports initiatives like the Urban Forestry Master Plan by facilitating collaboration across departments.
