The Atlanta City Council will hold a teleconference work session on rewriting the city’s tree protection ordinance at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

For the better part of a decade, the city and tree advocacy groups have struggled to strengthen a city ordinance that is supposed to preserve the canopy.

The lush blanket of trees that covers Atlanta’s neighborhoods has long been a significant part of the city’s identity. Tree advocates say the recent real estate boom, coupled with insufficient rules to protect trees, have jeopardized the canopy.

The public can listen to the meeting on the council’s website, YouTube channel, Channel 26 and the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages or by calling 877-579-6743 and entering the conference identification number 8315991256.

If the public wishes to comment about the ordinance, dial 404-330-6042 and leave a voice mail that does not exceed three minutes. Public comment will close two hours before the meeting.

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