Indianapolis City-County Council’s environmental sustainability committee voted unanimously Monday to support an effort to protect and generate revenue for the maintenance of urban forests and trees throughout the city of Indianapolis and Marion County.

The special resolution supports the city-county council’s exploration and development of a forest and tree carbon credit resolution and requires an update on this process within a year. It also calls for a carbon program that would fund the city's urban forests and trees.

“I do believe strongly in this initiative and the opportunity to keep carbon credit money in our community,” said councillor Jason Larrison, of District 12, adding public safety, mental health and recreation as other benefits of the resolution.

Jeff Stant, executive director of the Indiana Forest Alliance, expressed his support and urged the committee to work with forest experts on the matter. He also encouraged a full review of the city’s tree protection ordinance, which hasn’t been done since the early 1970s.

Several members of the public also voiced support for the resolution, which will be heard by the full council Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at 200 E. Washington St. in Indianapolis.