Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan 2015 by The Keystone Concept

Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan City of Boise

Acknowledgements Mayor: David H. Bieter

Stakeholder Team

City Council: Elaine Clegg (Council President), Lauren McLean (Council Pro Tem), TJ Thomson, Ben Quintana, Scot Ludwig, Maryanne Jordan

Neighborhood Associations: Mark Baltes (North End), Andy Brunelle (East End), Fred Fritchman (South Boise Village), Lynn Lockhart (Morris Hill), Ronnie Marler (West Bench), Sue Pisani (Vista)

Parks and Recreation Commission: Brad Turpen (President), Scott Raeber (Vice President), Shelly Alder, Angela Johnson, Jon Ruzicka, Stephen Smith, Erik Stidham, Patricia Whipps, Robert Buechler (Youth Commissioner) City of Boise: Shelly Alder, Scott Beecham, Eden Belanger, Thomas Chandler, Elaine Clegg, Debbie Cook, Megan Durrell, Tom Governale, Brian Jorgenson, Josh Leonard, Dennis Matlock, Sarah Millar, Toby Norton, Matt Perkins, Brenda Reynolds, Ryan Rodgers, Amy Stahl, Josh Wilson, Sarah Collings

Maintenance / Tree Services: Kevin Allen, Joshua Chaves, Terri Ham, Zeke Willard Landscape Design: Kathy Robert, Kim Siegenthaler, Bruce Taylor Nursery / Green Industry: Ann Bates, Seneca Hull Ada County Highway District (ACHD): Jason Korn, Rich Shaw Capitol City Development Corporation (CCDC) / Downtown Boise Association (DBA): Doug Woodruff, Geoff Hundt Utilities: Patti Best (Idaho Power Company)

Tree Photo: Bondarchuk/Shutterstock

US Green Building Council: Kris Wilson Consultant Team: Lance Davisson (Project Manager), Tim Maguire (Geographic Information System (GIS) Analysis & project support), Elizabeth Walker (Strategic Planning), Zach Hill (Graphics & Design) and Derek Risso (Analysis)

Cover photo: Charles Knowles. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;City of trees in full autumn color with the Capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. No changes were made to the original image. https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Terra Firma Consulting

Ecosystem Sciences

Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 Community Forestry Goals and Strategies 2 Introduction 6 The Community Forest as a Natural Resource

History and Context of Boiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Forestry

Assessment of the Current Community Forest 11 Strategic Planning Process 19 Implementation Toolkit 22 Next Steps / Conclusion 23 Appendices 24 A.

Community Forestry / City Policy Synthesis

Boise Community Forestry Report Card

Stakeholder Strategic Planning Outputs

Sign-in sheet

Boiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix - Goals & Strategies

Discussion Session priority votes

Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Navigator Complete Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Outputs & strategies

June 25 Public Workshop Agenda

Public Workshop FAQ

Community Forestry Stakeholder Team

Stakeholder Identified Priorities

Public Strategic Planning Outputs

Public Survey Results

Implementation Toolkit

Strategy Implementation Timeline Key Strategies Implementation Table Strategy Implementation Background

iii

Community Forestry VISION Boiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Forest is a healthy and resilient resource, critical to making Boise the most livable city in the country, returning essential benefits to the environment and our citizens.

City Photo: Charles Knowles/Shutterstock

Strategic Management Plan MISSION Boise will grow and sustain a healthy and resilient community forest to enrich the lives of our citizens and create a lasting, innovative and vibrant community for all to enjoy.

Tree Photo: Bondarchuk/Shutterstock

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Executive Summary Boise, “The City of Trees”, is dedicated to building a thriving community forest that contributes to a healthy and vibrant city. Realizing the community forest is a valued asset, Boise, herein referred to as “the City”, invested in an extensive collaborative planning process, engaging community stakeholders and the public, to develop a clear, concise and timeline oriented Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan. The overall goal of the planning process was to develop a sustainable Community Forestry Program through collaboration and long-term investment. The strategic planning process engaged city staff, a dedicated team of community stakeholders and interested citizens in evaluating all aspects and components of a comprehensive community forestry program. Together, this team of stakeholders and citizens developed goals and strategies to guide the Community Forestry Program over the next ten years (see Community Forestry Goals and Strategies, pages 2-5).

Of the twenty-four goals that were developed and thirty-three strategies to be implemented, several key priorities were identified: Implement neighborhood and citizen engagement initiatives to enhance general awareness of the critical role the community forest plays in creating a healthy and thriving city. Enhance agency and stakeholder cooperation by engaging a formal community forest stakeholder team in implementation of key strategies Implement key enhancements to critical community forest management tools starting with the city-wide tree inventory Collaborate with stakeholders and business owners on a successful plan and funding for downtown street trees

With this vision of how the City and public see the Community Forestry Program evolving, an Implementation Toolkit (Appendix E) has been developed to guide the work of the Community Forestry staff over the next ten years. The toolkit outlines priorities and timelines for implementing the city’s strategies. Staff will use this toolkit to: 1) develop annual work plans and budgets; 2) measure progress annually; 3) report progress to stakeholders, the public and leadership. Through continued collaboration with key stakeholders and implementation of this Strategic Plan, the Community Forestry Unit will successfully accomplish their goal of maintaining a sustainable and resilient community forest and community forestry program. The 2015 Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan was adopted by Boise City Council on April 5, 2016.

Boise, “The City of Trees”, is dedicated to building a healthy, sustainable and resilient community forest that contributes to a healthy and vibrant city. 1

Boise Community Forestry Goals and Strategies 24 goals and 33 strategies that will guide the work of the Community Forestry staff over the next ten years. VEGETATIVE RESOURCE (VR) This category relates to the composition and condition of the urban forest 1. Relative Canopy Cover – Grow the city’s tree canopy cover to a level between 16-25%, maximizing the potential available planting space •

Develop neighborhood level tree canopy goals

•

Develop plans and secure funding for strategic public (parks, streetscapes, right of way) and private (residential and commercial) tree planting

•

Assess urban tree canopy (UTC) in 10 years to measure progress since last measurement

2. Age Distribution of Trees - Ensure no single diameter class represents more than 50% of the total tree population •

Update city-wide tree inventory with current diameter classes and GIS locations

•

Prioritize and implement strategic tree planting city-wide – focus on pro-active replacement of large, aging tree populations to achieve diverse age distribution city-wide

3. Species Suitability - Ensure greater than 75% of city’s trees are of species considered suitable for the area •

Update City’s recommended tree species list – while always seeking new varieties to diversify the urban forest

Note: The strategies, actions that need to be completed in order to reach the goals, are listed under each individual goal. Some strategies, as they are accomplished, will result in progress toward attaining multiple goals.

•

Implement diversified tree species recommendations for streets, parks and city property plantings

•

Engage local nursery and landscape industry to collaborate on improved industry standards and outreach to the public

4. Species Distribution – Ensure no single tree genus represents more than 10% of the public tree population city-wide •

Update City’s recommended tree species list – while always seeking new varieties to diversify the urban forest

•

Implement diversified tree species recommendations for streets, parks and city property plantings

5. Condition of Publicly-Managed Trees – Develop a complete tree inventory which includes a formalized risk assessment protocol •

Update city-wide tree inventory with a formalized tree condition and risk assessment protocol

•

Develop a formalized tree risk assessment policy and protocol

6. Publicly-Owned Natural Areas – Enhance natural areas plans and surveys with urban tree canopy data and include in city-wide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) •

Quantify structure and function of the community forest in riparian areas within Boise Open Space and along the Boise River

7. Native Vegetation – Use native species in a project-appropriate basis. Recognize invasive species and employ aggressive eradication efforts •

Develop and implement a collaborative plan for establishment of native pants in riparian corridors

•

Identify, inventory and reduce populations of invasive or undesirable species from public open space

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (RM) This category speaks to the significant components of a city urban forestry program – staff, funding, resources, planning, policy, and operations. 8. Tree Inventory – Update the public tree inventory to include enhanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capability

•

Update city-wide tree inventory with current diameter classes and GIS locations

Annually review and measure progress toward accomplishing Goals outlined in the Community Forestry Management Plan

•

Develop a formalized system to keep the citywide tree inventory current

Establish annual work plans and budget requests for measured enhancement of the Community Forestry Program

•

Expand current city-wide tree inventory and UTC Assessment to include: all publicly owned properties and areas newly annexed into the city

9. Canopy Cover Assessment – Update the current Urban Tree Canopy Assessment (2013) as needed • •

Assess urban tree canopy (UTC) in 10 years to measure progress since last measurement Expand current city-wide tree inventory and UTC Assessment to include: all publicly owned properties and areas newly annexed into the city

10. City-Wide Management Plan - Implement a strategic multi-tiered management plan with significant stakeholder and public investment

11. Municipal-Wide Funding - Enhance funding to provide for an increase in stakeholder and public engagement for a measurable increase in urban forest benefits •

•

Establish a formal multi-disciplinary team (Community Forestry stakeholder team) consisting of key personnel from the City and other agencies to identify and address collaborations toward a sustainable and healthy community Establish annual work plans and budget requests for measured enhancement of the Community Forestry Program

12. City Staffing - Develop a multi-disciplinary team with community forestry and other city and stakeholder staff to implement the community forestry management plan

•

13. Tree Establishment, Planning and Implementation – Implement tree establishment plans that are developed collaboratively and guided by needs derived from existing inventory data •

Develop standards and specifications for community projects

•

Improve collaborative planning for landscapes in new developments and re-design projects

•

Seek and secure plans for creative design of functional landscapes in street and building design

14. Maintenance of Publicly-Managed Trees - Consistently prune all mature publicly-owned trees on a 6-year cycle and structurally prune young trees as needed •

Improve coordination of tree care in the right of way with ACHD

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

•

Implement contract pruning of juvenile and middle-aged trees throughout the city

•

Develop and implement a comprehensive plan and funding for management of downtown street trees

15. Tree Risk Management - Develop a complete tree inventory and formalized risk-assessment protocol •

Develop a formalized tree risk assessment policy and protocol

•

Create a public outreach campaign to educate contractors, landowners and residents about tree risk and mitigating that risk

17. Publicly-owned Natural Areas Management Planning and Implementation - Develop and implement a stewardship plan for each publicly owned natural area focused on sustaining ecological structure and funding •

Quantify structure and function of the community forest in riparian areas within Boise Open Space and along the Boise River

•

Develop and implement a collaborative plan for establishment of native plants in riparian corridors

•

Identify, inventory and reduce populations of invasive or undesirable species from public open space

16. Tree Protection Policy Development and Enforcement - Integrate municipal-wide policies that ensure protection of publicly owned trees and increased awareness for protection of privately owned trees

•

Establish, educate and enforce policies for tree protection and mitigation for tree removal city-wide

•

Create an outreach campaign around community forestry benefits and tree care

•

Update city tree ordinance to enhance current Boise Community Forestry Licensed Tree Care Company list and practice

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK (CF) This category offers all aspects and possible community relationships that impact the sustainability of the urban forest. 18. Public Agency Cooperation - Collaborate with formal interdepartmental and interagency teams to implement municipal policies on community projects •

•

Update city tree ordinance to enhance current Boise Community Forestry Licensed Tree Care Company list and practice

21. Neighborhood Action - Enhance collaboration with and engage neighborhood associations •

Create an outreach campaign around community forestry benefits and tree care

•

Improve collaborative planning for landscapes in new developments and re-design projects

Develop neighborhood level tree canopy goals

•

Prioritize and implement planting city-wide

•

Expand the Citizen Tree Stewards Program

Identify and engage institutional landholders, establish tree planting and maintenance goals

20. Green Industry Cooperation - Collaborate with the green industry on enhanced consumer education •

Develop standards and specifications for community projects

Improve coordination of tree care in the right of way with ACHD – by developing a formalized agreement for maintenance duties and specifications for street tree pruning

19. Involvement of Large Institutional Landholders - Develop clear goals for the tree resource with large institutional landholders •

•

Create an outreach campaign around community forestry benefits and tree care

strategic

tree

22. Citizen-Municipal-Business Interaction Improve formal communication and cooperation with community partners •

Develop standards and specifications for community projects

•

Contribute to streetscape design standards and policies that balance tree canopy goals with business and community goals.

•

Develop and implement a comprehensive plan and funding for management of downtown street trees

23. General Awareness of Trees as a Community Resource - Engage the public to help recognize the community forest is vital to the community’s environmental, social and economic well-being •

Create an outreach campaign around community forestry benefits and tree care

•

Align with Boise’s LIV (Lasting, Innovative, Vibrant) Initiative to establish the urban tree canopy as a vital means for enhanced sustainability in the city

24. Regional Cooperation – Continue to enhance regional coordination and planning efforts •

Continue efforts with neighboring communities to establish a common voice to expand and protect our community forests through the Treasure Valley Canopy Network

•

Incorporate tree canopy performance measures into COMPASS (Community Planning Association of SW Idaho) dashboard.

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Introduction There are many definitions for an urban forest or community forest, but it most commonly refers to all the trees and associated vegetation in a community. In Boise, the community forest is composed primarily of trees and vegetation planted within the urban environment, but is also augmented by trees and vegetation that grow naturally along our waterways, including the Boise River and throughout the foothills surrounding the city. Sustainable management of this community forest is achieved through collaboration of City staff, other agency partners, stakeholders and the public.

The Plan is a living document that outlines the City’s goals for the community forest and strategies to be implemented in order to achieve those goals.

Boise is a very progressive city that is striving to develop a sustainable community forest that maximizes benefits to its citizens. The City has been recognized for its commitment as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA since 1978. Currently the City has tens of thousands of trees providing tremendous benefits to the environment and community. As the City manages these trees they are striving to build a cohesive plan to maximize community forest health and benefits to the community. Recognizing the need for professional strategic planning assistance, the City sought help with developing a strategic management plan. A consulting team organized by a locally based firm, Ecosystem Sciences, was contracted to work with City staff and the stakeholders to develop a strategic plan to address management and maintenance of public trees and lead the City to more specific action plans and budgets over time. This Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan (The Plan) is a living document outlining the City’s goals for the community forest and strategies to be implemented in order to achieve those goals.

Part of this plan includes over arching vision and mission statements under which all goals and strategies align. A sustainable urban forestry model (The Sustainable Urban Forestry Matrix, Appendix C) is utilized to demonstrate the comprehensive nature of the resource management and to identify feasible strategies to be implemented in order to achieve identified goals.. The strategies, outlined in the plan’s Implementation Toolkit, (Appendix E) are meant to guide the City and stakeholders over the next ten years regarding planning, management and maintenance of public trees. Annual work plans with budget implications will be generated by Community Forestry staff using the tools and information provided in this plan. The development of this Plan is a collaborative effort between City staff, the stakeholders, and the public, facilitated by the consulting team. The collaborative strategic planning process has built community investment in The Plan. With the continued dedication of all partners, Boise’s community forest and Community Forestry Program will grow into an essential component of a lasting, innovative and vibrant city.

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

The Community Forest as a Natural Resource The City of Boise recognizes the value of its community forest resource and wants to enhance awareness and management of it to maximize benefits to citizens. Both the City and community understand the importance of managing trees as assets because they provide many tangible benefits to all residents. Boise’s community forest encompasses approximately 7,100 acres, nearly 16% of the City’s area (Figure 2). 76% of the City’s urban tree canopy (UTC) occurs on private lands (which includes residential, commercial, industrial and other areas), exemplifying the importance of engaging residents and business owners in promoting tree care, growth and conservation. 24% of the City’s UTC is managed or influenced by the City and its agency partners (ACHD, CCDC, DBA, etc.)The City has direct influence over trees in parks, public areas, open space and schools (13% of UTC). The city also helps manage the street right-of-way which includes another 11% of the City’s UTC.

Community Forestry staff coordinate with Neighborhood Associations to ensure forestry goals are met and objectives accomplished. Percent urban tree canopy (UTC) per Neighborhood varies widely in Boise ranging from over 40% in the Harrison Boulevard Neighborhood to under 1% in Riverland East Neighborhood (Figure 3. Map of UTC% per neighborhood in Boise). Overall, most neighborhoods in Boise have less than 20% tree canopy. Trees in the City of Boise not only beautify streets and neighborhoods and provide respite from the summer heat, but are also essential in providing Ecosystem Services to residents. Ecosystem Services are environmental goods and amenities that provide benefits to the local community (Scwarz et al. 2015). Ecosystem Services provided by tree canopy include: enhanced energy efficiency, stormwater mitigation, improved water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and increased property values, as well as human health benefits. In this plan, Ecosystem Services have been monetized so that City leaders and residents can understand the actual value in dollars that trees provide (see side bar).

Annual Ecosystem Services provided by Boise’s community forest: Reduced stormwater runoff and erosion

$485,000 in reduced stormwater infrastructure costs

Shade that reduces residential energy costs

$381,300 in reduced summer cooling costs

Air quality

$3.3 million in

reduced health impacts

(Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment 2013)

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

18 % UTC

21 % UTC

West Bench Tree Canopy 0

0.25

Miles 0.5

34 % UTC Northend 41 % UTC Harrison Blvd

23 % UTC

Figure 1. Boise Urban Tree Canopy (UTC). The total UTC for the City is 16%. 8

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Northwest

Boise City Limits

Pierce Park

NAs UTC%

Quail Ridge Collister

0 - 5% 15 - 25%

Central Foothills Highlands

Glenwood Rim West Cloverdale

5 - 15%

Stewart Gulch

>25%

Sunset West Valley Veterans Park

West Bench

North End

Winstead Park

Harrison Blvd.

1 Miles

Boise Heights

West Downtown Central Rim

Downtown

Morris Hill East End

Maple Grove Franklin

Central Bench

Borah Southwest Ada County Alliance

Depot Bench South Boise Village

Pioneer Vista

Hillcrest

Warm Springs Mesa

Sunrise Rim 80%

Harris Ranch

6000

70%

67% 4711

%Total

Southeast Boise

Riverland East

5000

ACRES

60% 4000

50% 40%

3000

30%

2000

20% 13% 10% 0%

1% Commercial\Industrial

Figure 2.

931

11%

808

1000

531 76

Other (Ag, Other)

Percent UTC by land use

Residential

Public: Park/ Open Space/Schools

Public Street Right-Of-Way

Figure 3.

Percent UTC by neighborhood

(For more info visit: http://www.tvcanopy.net/map-the-canopy) 9

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

History and Context, Boise’s Community Forest Boise’s Community Forestry Unit (Community Forestry) was established through the Boise Tree Ordinance in 1952 and has provided management and growth worthy of recognition as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA since 1978. As the city’s nickname, “The City of Trees”, suggests, Boise has a long history of planting and caring for trees.

FY-15 FY-14 FY-13 FY-12 FY-11 FY-10

Since 2006, Community Forestry has been operating under a ten-year management plan developed by the Les Bois Tree Task Force. This plan provided recommendations in four key areas of management: Administrative and Education, Maintenance and Operations, Tree Planting and Downtown Trees. In summary, twenty-three top priority recommendations were agreed upon to guide future management in these areas.

FY-09 FY-08 FY-07 FY-06 FY-05 FY-04 FY-03 FY-02 FY-01 FY-00 FY-99

Personell Services

Figure 4. 10

$1.4 M

$1.2 M

$1.0 M

$800 K

$600 K

$400 K

$200 K

FY-98

Maintenance & Operations

Community Forestry Unit budget (1998 – 2015)

In addition to the 2006 Management Plan, several city policies, procedures and planning processes guide management of the community forest as it interfaces with the community’s transportation infrastructure, future planning efforts, citizen initiatives, etc. In order to better understand the interface of these policies and procedures and how they inform community forest management, the planning team developed a Community Forestry – City Policy Synthesis (Appendix A).

The Policy Synthesis outlines all known City documents and policies that impact community forest management in Boise. These documents are examined to determine how they influence the Community Forestry Unit’s actions based on whether they: Govern (G) - Documents that govern (G) the Community Forestry Unit’s actions are ordinances, management plans or the City’s comprehensive plans. Address (A) - Documents that address (A) the Community Forestry Unit provide essential data or suggest actions to help manage the forest. Mention (M) - Documents that mention (M) the Community Forestry Unit are generally educational materials aimed at explaining the resource but do not mandate action or provide data. Important documents related to the history of Boise’s Community Forest are: the Boise Tree Ordinance (#1), Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Management Plan (#2), Comprehensive Park & Recreation Plan (#5), and Blueprint Boise (Boise’s Comprehensive Plan) (#6). As City staff implement this Plan, the Policy Synthesis will provide a tool to inform decisions on future Community Forestry policy and planning efforts.

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Assessment of the Current Community Forest In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a community forestry program, it is valuable to gather data and information to identify where the program currently stands and to create a foundation to build upon. Several key sources of information were gathered to inform this assessment of the current community forest, including: Community Forestry programs, staffing and responsibilities, and collaboration with key stakeholders and the community; Status of the community forest resource (tree inventory and urban tree canopy assessment); Program progress since the 2006 planning process.

Community Forestry Program Boiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Forestry Unit (Community Forestry) manages all public trees within the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s street right of way and city parks. Funding for Community Forestry, which includes personnel, operations and maintenance and equipment costs, has fluctuated between $900,000 and $1.4 million since 1998 (Figure 4). Management of the community forest resource is conducted through a combination of full-time and seasonal staff (including a City Forester, Forestry Specialists, and an arborist crew) and through private contract (primarily for right of way street tree pruning). Community Forestry staff consists of six full-time administrative employees and an arborist crew composed of six full-time employees and two seasonal employees; ten of the staff are International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists (figure 5). Management activities are organized within eight community forestry districts (figure 6). The core responsibilities of staff include: inspections, maintenance, removal and planting of street right of way and parks; oversight of contracts for right of way tree maintenance; Planning and Development Services (PDS) design review; managing various outreach and education programs, including: Tree Stewards, Spring tree class

CITY FORESTER CUSTOMER SERVICE REP

Crew supervision (6+2) FORESTRY CREW CHIEF R/W, Parks & Contracts

District inspections, etc FORESTRY SPECIALIST Tree Stewards, outreach & education District inspections, etc FORESTRY SPECIALIST Arbor Day, downtown trees, outreach & ed Laura Moore Cunningham Nursery NURSERY SPECIALIST Outreach & Education

Park and R/W bed maintenance R/W CREW CHIEF Integrated Pest Management Program

Figure 5.

Community Forestry Staff Organization Chart

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

District 2

Community Forestry works with several city departments and local partners on planning, planting and maintenance of trees in Boise’s downtown

District 4 District 5 District 6

District 2

Estimated Year 2013

District 2

2014

District 7

2015

District 3, 6 & 8

2016

District 5

2017

District 4

2018

District 1

2019

Pruning Cycle

WESTSIDE DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL AREA

Figure 6.

30TH STREET AREA URBAN RENEWAL AREA

CENTRAL DISTRICT URBAN RENEWAL AREA

RIVER-MYRTLE/OLD BOISE URBAN RENEWAL AREA

CCDC Districts 30TH STREET AREA URA CENTRAL DISTRICT URA RIVER-MYRTLE/OLD BOISE URA WESTSIDE DOWNTOWN URA

0.2

Figure 7. 12

Miles 0.4

Downtown Boise’s Urban Renewal Districts (from CCDC)

District 1

District 3

District 8

District 7

Community Forestry District Map

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

series, Arbor Day events and Tree City USA; Administration of community tree planting initiatives, including: ReLeaf Boise and NeighborWoods; and management of the Laura Moore Cunningham Arboretum / Nursery. To learn more about these various programs, visit the Boise Community Forestry website: parks. cityofboise.org/forestry. In addition to planting and maintenance of city trees, Community Forestry staff play a key role in shaping the future of the city’s community forest on both public and private lands. For example, they collaborate with Neighborhood Associations on education, outreach, enhancement and maintenance of trees on public and private lands; and they partner with several city departments (including Public Works and Planning and Development Services (PDS)), and several local partners: Ada County Highway District (ACHD), Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), Downtown Boise Association (DBA), and downtown business owners on planning, planting and maintenance of trees in Boise’s downtown (Figure 7). While the Community Forestry Unit is the city unit primarily responsible for management and oversight of the community forest, it is clear that collaboration with multiple stakeholders is critical to building and sustaining a thriving community forest resource (Figure 8).

Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is critical to building and sustaining a thriving community forest resource

ACHD

CCDC & DBA

Registered Neighborhood Associations Homeowners/ Business Owners/ Developers

City of Boise Community Forestry

City of Boise Planning & Development Services

City of Boise Public Works

Figure 8.

Tree Care, Nursery & Landscape Industries

Sustainable Community Forest

Idaho Power Company

Multiple stakeholders influence Boise’s community forest

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

The Community Forest Resource Public Tree Inventory

Park Tree Condition The Community Forestry Unit’s (Community Forestry) public tree inventory was originally NA completed more than 25 years ago with software called Tree Manager. Staff DEAD regularly update the inventory based on field CRITICAL inspections and subsequent management POOR actions. It is estimated to be a 90% complete FAIR of public trees and includes data inventory for: GOOD species, diameter, condition, location, past maintenance history, next expected VERY GOOD maintenance, service requests (both EXCELLENT internal and external customer initiated). As 10%the 20%City 30% is40% 50% 60% 70% of early 0% 2015, transitioning to a Figure 11 new enterprise management system called VueWorks which will enable full integration Street Tree Condition of the inventory into the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) system.

Catalpa Plum/Cherry Locust Hawthorn Cottonwood Sweetgum Spruce Planetree Pear Crabapple Elm Oak

Throughout the planning process, several key DEAD elements of the public tree inventory CRITICAL were highlighted:

Linden Pine

61 Other Spp

10%

15%

Figure 9

Figure 9.

Tree Species Diversity

20%

• 12,000 park trees 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% • 20,500 street (right-of-way) trees Figure 11outputs and summaries Key inventory include: • • •

Distribution of the community forest 61 and above resource, based on land use = 24% public 55 thru 60 and 76%49private thru 54 (figure 2)

GOOD

EXCELLENT 0%

Estimated city-wide urban tree Street Trees Class Percent canopy (UTC) = 16%

Potential tree 25 thru 30 (figure 12a, 12b, 19 thru 24 13)

VERY GOOD

Maple

19 thru 24 Valley Urban Tree The 2013 Treasure 13 thruAssessment 18 Canopy (UTC) (Plan-it Geo 7 thru 12 2013) provides valuable metrics about the thru 6canopy and the Ecosystem city’s urban 1tree Services it provides. the key 0% Some 10% 20%of 30% 40% 50% 60% Figure 10The Plan include: metrics used to inform

43 thru 48estimated Boise’s UTC 37 thru 42 neighborhood level (figure 3)

32,500 public trees are included in the public tree inventory

Ash

31 thru 36

Urban Tree Canopy 25 thru 30

POORIt

is estimated that the city has a total of 40,000-50,000 trees including those in FAIR open space and not currently inventoried

Honeylocust

Park Trees by Diameter Classseveral Percent The planning process identified metrics that need to be updated during the transition48of andthe abovepublic tree inventory to the new asset43 thru management system. These 48 metrics include: age distribution, current 37 thru 42 condition and geographic location.

Species diversity (figure 9) Age Distribution (figure 10 A and B) Condition (figure 11 A and B)

31 thru 36

13 thru 18

planting

the

locations

The UTC metrics 7 thru 12 were not only valuable in educating stakeholders during the planning 1 thru 6 process, but the0%data 10% and tools 20% from 30% the40% 2013 Treasure Valley UTC Assessment will Figure 10 be valuable for Community Forestry and stakeholders to accomplish some of the agreed upon goals and strategies in the future.

70%

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Program Progress Since 2006 Park Tree Condition NA DEAD NA CRITICAL DEAD POOR CRITICAL FAIR POOR GOOD FAIR VERY GOOD GOOD EXCELLENT VERY GOOD 0% EXCELLENT 0%

NA DEAD NA CRITICAL DEAD

In the beginning stages of the planning Park Treethe Condition process, staff and consultant team evaluated the previous Community Forestry ten-year plan and produced the 2006 Boise Community Forestry Report Card (Appendix B). This report card includes analysis of progress achieved toward the 23 priority recommendations in 8 key categories: planting, maintenance, outreach and education, planning and development, neighborhoods, downtown, streets and 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% staffFigure development (figure 14). 11 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

The conclusion of this evaluation recognizes Community Forestryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant and commendable progress Street Tree Condition over the last ten years, laying the foundation for even further growth of the program over the next ten years. 11 Condition StreetFigure Tree

POOR CRITICAL

26%

FAIR POOR

Complete

GOOD FAIR

13%

VERY GOOD GOOD

Not Complete

EXCELLENT VERY GOOD 0% EXCELLENT

10%

20%

30% 61% 40%

50%

20%

Figure 11

30%

40%

50%

Park Trees by Diameter Class Percent

Plum/Cherry 48 and above Catalpa 43 thru 48 Locust Plum/Cherry 48 and above 37 thru 42 Hawthorn 43 thru 48 Locust 31 thru 36 37 thru 42 Cottonwood 25 thru 30 Hawthorn 31 thru 36 19 thru 24 Sweetgum Cottonwood 25 thru 30 13 thru 18 Spruce 19 thru 12 24 Sweetgum 7 thru

131thru Planetree thru18 6 Spruce 7 thru 12 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Pear Planetree 1 thru 6 Figure 10 20%Tree 30%Age 40% 50% 60% 70% Crabapple Figure0% 10 A.10% Park Distribution Pear Figure 10 by Diameter Class Percent Street Trees Class Percent

Park Tree Condition

NA DEAD NA CRITICAL DEAD POOR CRITICAL FAIR POOR GOOD FAIR VERY GOOD GOOD EXCELLENT VERY GOOD 0% EXCELLENT

Street Trees Class Percent

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Figure 11

0%11 A. 10% 20% Tree 30% Condition 40% 50% 60% 70% Figure Park 11 Condition StreetFigure Tree

Elm Crabapple

Oakabove 61 and Elm

55 thru 60 Linden Oakthru 61 and above 49 54

DEAD NA

Street Tree Condition

CRITICAL DEAD

55 43 thru thru 60 48 Pine Linden 49 thru thru 42 54 37 Honeylocust 43 thru 48 Pine 31 thru 36

POOR CRITICAL FAIR POOR

37 thru 25Spp thru 42 30 61 Other Honeylocust 31 thru 19 thru 36 24 Ash 25 thru 13 thru 30 18 61 Other Spp 7 thru 19 thru12 24 Maple Ash 1 thru 6 13 18

GOOD FAIR VERY GOOD GOOD

60%

5% 10%

60%

0% 0%

5% 10%

Figure 14. 2006 Boise Community Forestry Report Card Summary

Park Tree Condition

Catalpa

0%12 0% 7 thru Maple 1 thru 6

Partially Complete Figure 11

Park Trees by Diameter Class Percent

Figure 10 Figure 9

10% 20%

15% 30%

20% 40%

EXCELLENT VERY GOOD 0% EXCELLENT

10%

10% 20%

15% 30%

20% 40%

10%

Figure 10 B. Street Tree Age Distribution by Diameter Class Percent

20% Figure 11

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Figure 11

Figure 11 B. Street Tree Condition

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

48 % 35 %

16 %

Existing UTC

Potential planting area

Unsuitable for planting

Figure 13. Potential Urban Tree Canopy, City of Boise

16 % UTC & potential 51%

Figure 12a. 16

Map of Boise with Potential Planting Locations

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

21 % UTC & 52% Potential

18 % UTC & 40% Potential

West Bench Tree Canopy Potential Planting Sites (PPAs) 0

0.25

Miles 0.5

34 % UTC Northend & 54% Potential 41 % UTC Harrison Blvd & 58% Potential

23 % UTC & 46% Potential

Figure 12b.

Potential Planting Locations in Specific Neighborhoods 17

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Understand Key Objectives Gain consensus on 24 Goals One goal in each criteria within 3 categories: Vegetative Resource Resource Management Community Framework

Figure 16.

Identify Strategies

Identify top Priorities

â&#x20AC;˘ Actions to be completed in order to accomplish our goals

â&#x20AC;˘ Selected from 24 goals

Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix process

Photo: Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC)

Figure 15.

Planning process, key meeting dates, and input from staff, stakeholders, citizens and leadership

Leadership Briefing May 21

Leadership Briefing June 9

Draft Presented to Parks Commission, P&Z, City Council

3&4

Staff / Team Meeting

Staff / Team Staff / Team Meeting Review Meeting Draft

8 March 2016

JANUARY 2015

Stakeholder Meeting Feb. 26

Stakeholder Meeting April 16

Stakeholder Meeting May 21

Public Workshop June 25

Public Survey June 26-July 15

Stakeholder Meeting Review Draft

1,2,3 Work Sessions March 12, 19 and April 2 18

PLAN Adopted by City Council

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Collaborative Strategic Planning Process The foundation of this planning process was built around active partner and community investment at all stages of plan development (figure 15). Invested city staff, stakeholders and citizens are critical to ensure: (1) this plan is developed collaboratively to serve the community’s needs and (2) these partners are invested in implementing the strategies and accomplishing the goals outlined in the plan over the next ten years. To engage staff and stakeholders in a collaborative discussion about a sustainable community forestry program, a “Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix” was used (Appendix C). The three categories – Vegetative Resource, Resource Management, and Community Framework, along with performance indicator spectrum and key objectives, are based on a sustainability model (Clark, et al 1997). The criteria in each category are comprehensive in order to demonstrate all the aspects of a community forestry program to consider when setting goals and priorities.

Staff and Stakeholder Engagement Between January and July 2015, the consultant team facilitated over ten staff team meetings and six stakeholder team meetings and work sessions. The collaborative discussions during these meetings, which followed the “Sustainable Urban Forest

Matrix” strategic planning framework, yielded twenty-four broad goals to guide the City’s community forestry management over the next ten years (figure 16). The outputs from these meetings are included in Appendix C Stakeholder Strategic Planning Outputs.

Public Engagement Using the foundation of goals and strategies created by the Staff and Stakeholder Teams; City staff, the stakeholder team and consultant team hosted a public workshop on June 25 to inform and engage the public in the collaborative strategic planning process. During the workshop a conversation was facilitated around the three categories of the “Sustainable Urban Forest

Major themes from the staff and stakeholder engagement process: Management of the community forest requires extensive collaboration among city departments, partner agencies throughout the city, the green industry, neighborhood associations and homeowners Stakeholders are engaged and committed to collaborating toward a vibrant, healthy and thriving community forest that maximizes benefits to citizens and the environment Top priorities identified through the stakeholder work sessions included: • Vegetative Resource: maintaining and enhancing the urban tree canopy cover in the city, ensuring a healthy and thriving community forest resource

•

(including: healthy tree condition and species diversity) Resource Management: Maintaining sufficient staffing and funding to ensure there is a complete tree inventory that ensures effective maintenance of public trees Community Framework: Enhancing public agency cooperation and neighborhood action to ensure a raised level of awareness about the critical role the community forest plays in creating a healthy and thriving city

Seeking removal of pines Homeowner

Northwest Municipal leader

Pierce Park

Tree lover

Quail Ridge

Collister

Professional willing to help

Stewart Gulch

Glenwood Rim West Cloverdale

West Valley

Sunset West Bench

Respondents not Living in City Limits

Central Foothills

Neighborhood Association representative

Highlands

Business owner Government employee

Veterans Park West Downtown

Winstead Park

Central Rim

North End

Boise Heights

Environmental advocate Interested citizen

Downtown

East End

Central Bench

Borah

Southwest Ada County Alliance

Depot Bench Pioneer

South Boise Village Warm Springs Mesa

Vista Hillcrest

Outreach Event

Input Method

Target Audience

Number of Participants

Series of three work sessions

Electronic poling

Stakeholder Team

Workshop at Boise Public Library

Breakout sessions including "dot" voting and written feedback

Public

Interactive Online Survey

Multiple choice and open comment survey

Public

Sunrise Rim

Southeast Boise

Harris Ranch

Public Responses 2 - 5%

< 2% 117

5 - 10% 2

40%

60%

80%

Figures 17 B Survey Participants

Morris Hill Maple Grove - Franklin

20%

Miles

Figures 17 A. Survey Participants

10 - 15%

> 15%

100%

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Relative Canopy Cover Relative Canopy Cover

Species Suitability Species Suitability Relative Canopy Cover

Matrix”: Vegetative Resource, Resource Management and Community Framework. During the facilitated discussion, participants selected priority goals within each category and provided additional input into the development and implementation of the Plan. Following the workshop, additional public input was solicited through an on-line survey and public website. This on-line

survey yielded extensive input from over one-hundred members of the public (Figure 17A and 17B) and is summarized below. The public input was very informative and resulted in enhancements to the city’s goals and priorities for collaborating with citizens to better manage the community forest. Outputs from the public engagement process are included in Appendix D.

Major themes from the public feedback included: Citizens value the city’s public trees and are seeking ways to not only learn more about the community forest, but engage in active management through volunteerism when possible Top priorities identified through the public workshop and on-line survey included: •

Vegetative Resource: Maintaining and enhancing the urban tree canopy cover in the city, ensuring a healthy and thriving community forest resource (including: healthy tree condition and species diversity). The public also expressed interest in additional collaboration with open space management to maintain and enhance native species in the foothills and along the Boise River.

•

Resource Management: Maintaining sufficient staffing and funding to ensure there are sufficient tree protection policies in-place for long-term survivability of the public trees. Community Framework: Most importantly, raise general awareness of the critical role the community forest plays in creating a healthy and thriving city. Through enhanced public agency cooperation and neighborhood action, the respondents feel a raised level of public awareness can be achieved.

Species Distribution Species Distribution Species Suitability Relative Canopy Cover Condition of Publically Condition of Publically Managed Trees Managed Trees Species Distribution Species Suitability Native Vegetation Native Vegetation Condition of Publically Species Distribution Managed Trees Publicly Owned Publicly Owned Natural Areas Natural Areas Native Vegetation Condition of Publically Age Distribution Managed Trees Age Distribution of Trees Publicly of Owned Trees Natural Areas 0% Native Vegetation

10% 10%

Age Distribution Publicly Owned of Areas Trees Natural Age Distribution of Trees

General Awareness 0% General Awareness of Trees as Resource of Trees as Resource Agency Agency Cooperation Cooperation General Awareness Neighborhood of Trees as Resource Neighborhood Action Action Agency General Awareness Green Industry Cooperation of Trees as Resource Green Industry Cooperation Cooperation Neighborhood Large Institutional Agency Action Large Cooperation Institutional Landowner Landowner Involvement Green Industry Involvement Neighborhood Citizen-MunicipalCooperation Action Citizen-MunicipalBusiness Interaction Large BusinessInstitutional Interaction Landowner Green Industry Regional Involvement Regional Cooperation Cooperation Cooperation Citizen-MunicipalLarge Institutional Business Landowner Interaction 0%

Regional Cooperation

Percent Response Percent Response 30% 40% 50% 30% 40% 50%

60% 60%

70% 70%

80% 80%

70%

80%

70%

80%

Priority Vegetative Resource Goals Percent Response Priority Vegetative Resource Goals

Municipal-wide Funding 0% Municipal-wide Funding Tree Establishment, Planning Tree Establishment, Planning Maintenance Municipal-wide Maintenance Funding Publically Owned Tree Establishment, Natural Areas Publically Owned Planning Natural Areas Municipal-wide Tree Protection Funding Maintenance Tree Protection Tree Establishment, Tree Inventory Publically Owned Planning Tree Inventory Natural Areas City-wide Maintenance Management Plan City-wide Tree Protection Management Plan Publically Owned City Staffing Natural Areas City Staffing Tree Inventory Tree Risk City-wide Management Tree Protection Tree Risk Management Plan Management Canopy Cover Assessment Tree Inventory Canopy Cover City Staffing Assessment City-wide 0% Tree Plan Risk Management Management 0% City Staffing Canopy Cover Assessment Tree Risk Management 0% Canopy Cover Assessment

Involvement Regional Citizen-MunicipalCooperation Business Interaction

20% 20%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Percent Response Priority Vegetative Resource Goals 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Priority Vegetative Resource Goals

5% 5%

Percent Response Percent Response 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Priority Resource Management Goals Percent Management Response Priority Resource Goals 5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

45%

50%

Percent Response

Priority Resource Management Goals 5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Priority Resource Management Goals

10% 10%

20% 20%

Percent Response Percent Response 30% 40% 50% 30% 40% 50%

60% 60%

Priority Community Framework Goals Priority Community Framework Goals Percent Response

0% Stakeholder 10% Work 20% Session30% Stakeholder Work Session

40% Workshop 50% Public Public Workshop

70% 70%

80% 80%

60%Online 70% Survey 80% Online Survey

Percent Response Priority Community Framework Goals

Figure0%18. 10% Stakeholder and 50% Public60% 70% 80% 20% 30% 40% Stakeholder Work Priority Goals Session Public Workshop Online Survey Priority Community Framework Goals

Stakeholder Work Session

Public Workshop

Online Survey

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Implementation Toolkit

Management Plan and Implementation Tools At the conclusion of the strategic planning process staff, stakeholders and the public identified 33 strategies to be implemented to accomplish 24 goals for the community (see Community Forestry Goals and Strategies, pages 2-5). As the planning team synthesized all stakeholder and public input (Figure 18 Stakeholder and Public Priority Goals), four top priorities emerged: Implement neighborhood and citizen engagement initiatives to enhance general awareness of the critical role the community forest plays in creating a healthy and thriving city. Enhance agency and stakeholder cooperation by engaging a formal community forest stakeholder team in implementation of key strategies Implement key enhancements to critical community forest management tools starting with the city-wide tree inventory Collaborate with stakeholders and business owners on a successful plan and funding for downtown street trees

Using these four top priorities as the foundation, the planning team developed an Implementation Toolkit (to be used by Community Forestry Staff) to guide annual work plans and budgeting for the next ten years, ensuring sustained growth of a healthy community forest and Community Forestry Program.

In order to capture the extensive information gathered throughout the collaborative strategic planning process and ensure effective implementation of identified strategies, the planning team developed an Implementation Toolkit (Appendix E). The toolkit, created for Community Forestry staff, outlines priorities and timelines for implementing the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategies. Staff will use this toolkit to: 1) develop annual work plans and budgets; 2) measure progress annually; and 3) report progress to stakeholders, the public and leadership. The key components of the Toolkit include: Strategy Implementation Timeline Provides timeline-oriented prioritization for implementation of strategies identified through the planning process. Key Strategies Implementation Table Identifies key collaborators to engage, goals that apply and city policies that impact implementation. Strategy Implementation Background Provides background information, gathered from staff, stakeholder and public outreach that will inform strategy implementation.

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Conclusion Starting with the 2016 budget cycle, the Community Forestry Unit will work together with the community forestry stakeholder team to develop annual work plans that focus on accomplishing the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top three or four strategies within the first year. This will establish a foundation of success to be built upon annually, continually enhancing the health of the community forest and the services it provides to the citizens of Boise. Through regular use of the Implementation Toolkit, Community Forestry and stakeholders will exhibit strategic and effective use of public resources, showing leadership and annual progress toward reaching identified goals. The resulting accomplishments, of both the Community Forestry Program and its stakeholders, will play a vital role in maintaining a healthy, sustainable and resilient community forest that contributes to Boise becoming the most livable city in the country. The 2015 Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan was adopted by Boise City Council on April 5, 2016.

The success of this Strategic Plan will be achieved through enhanced public agency cooperation and neighborhood action.

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Appendices A.

Community Forestry City Policy Synthesis

Boise Community Forestry Report Card

Stakeholder Strategic Planning Outputs

Sign-in sheet

Boiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix - Goals & Strategies

Discussion Session priority votes

Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Navigator Complete Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Sustainable Urban Forest Matrix Outputs & strategies

Public Strategic Planning Outputs June 25 Public Workshop Agenda

Public Workshop FAQ

Community Forestry Stakeholder Team

Stakeholder Identified Priorities

Public Survey Results

Implementation Toolkit

Strategy Implementation Timeline Key Strategies Implementation Table Strategy Implementation Background

Boise Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan

Community Forestry Strategic Management Plan City of Boise