GREENFIELD — Protecting the city’s forests, preparing for climate change and expanding the community’s food access were among the goals pitched by Greenfield residents Monday evening, as the city prepares to update its 2014 master plan in partnership with The Conway School.

More than 50 residents stopped by the John Zon Community Center to meet with the three Conway School students who will spend the next month preparing draft updates for the Land Use and Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources chapters of Greenfield’s master plan.

The meeting began with a brief presentation from the students — Aaron Dell, Jess Ladin and Annie Mellick — who spoke about the city’s history and laid out the four focus areas: land use and development; natural resources and biodiversity; Greenfield’s food hub; and the city’s identity and cultural heritage. Folks were then invited to walk around stations targeting each focus area, where they could talk with the students or representatives from Sustainable Greenfield, which organized the event.

“Forest trees are the ones that pull the carbon out of the atmosphere. … Any place where we can get a forest protected would be a good idea,” said resident Pam Kelly, who was advocating for more protection of the city’s forests and trees. “They do it all by themselves; we don’t have to build anything.”

She also said the city should look into state grant programs that target net-zero developments.

At the food hub station, Ruth Ellen Henry said the city has been making progress, but her top request is encouraging more pollinator-friendly land use regulations.

“Pollinators are very important. … Without those bees, we don’t have food,” she said, adding even something as simple as a pollinator garden in a front yard can be a valuable resource. In her case, Henry said she has raspberry bushes that provide a place for pollinators, while also growing a little bit of food for herself and her neighbors.

Around the room, other examples written on Post-It notes included a wide range of suggestions, including, but not limited to: increased, safer bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; climate-resiliency measures; and more emphasis on the region’s food options to attract people and businesses. Challenges identified by residents include what some called “restrictive zoning,” prohibitive development costs and lack of affordable housing, among others.

Another notable priority of residents was laid out on a chart asking for people to put a red dot next to their “development priorities in Greenfield,” with housing receiving nearly double the amount of stickers as renewable energy, the second-highest priority stated by those in attendance.

While turnout was high Monday, resident Sara-Evelyn Lane said she would like to see the city and The Conway School do more direct outreach to all stakeholders in the city, especially those in the food system, such as farmers and their workers.

“When we’re talking about land use, we’re talking about ownership. When we’re talking about ownership, we’re talking about class,” Lane said. “I would like to see this process have a better understanding of class.”

A follow-up community meeting is planned for March 4, where residents can provide feedback on the draft recommendations in anticipation of final recommendations that will come before the Planning Board — which must accept the updated master plan — in late April or May. The board may also send the plan to City Council for its endorsement, but it is not required, according to Planning Director Eric Twarog.

More information about Sustainable Greenfield and the master plan update process can be found on the city’s website at bit.ly/3HRjUZA.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.