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Community Forestry Management


West Windsor Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP)

Public Comments Wanted

The West Windsor Shade Tree Commission (STC) has posted the current draft of the West Windsor Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) for 2026 through 2030 and invites written comment from the public. The draft is available here:  WWCFMP - Public Review /  WWCFMP – Maps / WWCFMP - Appendix

What the Plan Is.  The CFMP is West Windsor's five-year management plan for the trees and forested land that West Windsor owns or maintains, including street trees, park and preserve trees, and the trees on municipal grounds. It describes the existing tree resource, states goals for it, and sets out the action items, the schedule, and the budget projections for planting, maintenance, hazard tree work, pest and disease response, staff and volunteer training, and public education over the life of the Plan.

Purpose of the Plan.  The CFMP is prepared under the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act, New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) 13:1L-17.1 et seq. It is submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New Jersey Forest Service, for approval by the State Forester under N.J.S.A. 13:1L-17.7, and once approved it governs West Windsor's management of its tree resource for the five calendar years it covers. An approved Plan is also a requirement of West Windsor's continued accreditation with the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program and of its eligibility for that program's grants.

The DEP Guidance the Plan Must Follow.  The Plan must conform to the DEP's Community Forestry Management Plan Guidelines, January 2024, which are the operative guidelines and which supersede all earlier versions. Residents who wish to read the guidelines before commenting will find them online at either of the following:

Comment Deadline.  Residents are encouraged to submit written comments on the draft plan. Please keep comments limited to the subject of the management of the Township’s community forest. The comment period will close October 25, 2026.

How to Comment.  Written comments are to be sent by electronic mail (email) to: ShadeTree@westwindsortwp.gov

Comments Must Cite Page Numbers.  Each comment should identify the page number and paragraph, followed by the question, suggestion or comment. If a change is being recommended then please include the reason for it. A comment that does not identify the text it concerns may not be able to be placed.

What to Include With a Comment.  An email address is required, so that receipt of the comment can be acknowledged and any question Shade Tree Commission has about the comment can be answered. Please also give your name and street address. Neither is required, and a comment will be considered without them.

What Happens Next.  All comments received during the comment period will be provided to the STC and considered before the Plan is finalized. Adoption proceeds in two steps: the STC recommends the Plan for adoption, and West Windsor then adopts it, with the Mayor's signature, before the Plan is submitted to the DEP for approval by the State Forester.


THANK YOU
WEST WINDSOR SHADE TREE COMMISSION