Title
Urban Forestry and Tree Canopy Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
receive a briefing on the Olympia Tree Canopy Assessment.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Olympia Tree Canopy Assessment.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Environmental Habitat Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3957
Jasen Johns, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Kym Foley, Environmental Habitat Planner
Jasen Johns, Urban Forestry Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
A growing base of research supports the multitude of environmental, social and economic benefits of trees in urban and suburban settings. Our urban forest functions to increase resilience against the effects of climate change, reduce air, water and noise pollution, provide utility in the built environment, create a sense of place, support a diversity of locally unique wildlife, and much more. Trees also pose challenges to urban infrastructure and risk to property as well as public safety and can be costly to properly maintain.
Following guidelines developed by Federal and State Urban and Community Forestry programs, the City of Olympia recently completed a Tree Canopy Assessment to support a wide variety of land use and environmental planning purposes. This high-resolution geospatial analysis maps existing (2022) tree canopy cover as well as canopy gains and losses since 2011. The results show that as of 2022, 42% of Olympia is covered by tree canopy, representing a 6% relative loss since 2011. The assessment also maps tree canopy cover by census block group, land use type, watershed, and several other geographies.
As this dataset is refined, it will be made available to the public via an online interactive Storymap and final comprehensive report, both anticipated to be published by the end of 2023. Internally, City staff across departments are beginning to use the data to support stormwater management, transportation and habitat stewardship projects. Moving forward, the Tree Canopy Assessment and associated information is intended to be utilized to inform a comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan, where recommendations for strategic tree canopy goal-setting and related policies will be developed. The assessment also fulfills a requirement of new legislation (E2SHB 1181) that requires an evaluation of tree canopy coverage to be included in the City’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update.
Climate Analysis:
This project was completed in partnership with Thurston County Natural Resources Department to ensure that goals and objectives align with the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan. The Tree Canopy Assessment shows us where in Olympia clusters of large trees are providing the greatest carbon sequestration services, although in urban settings these are a lower priority climate mitigation tool than increasing clean energy, improving transportation systems, and other forms of carbon emissions reduction. However, tree canopy plays an important role in climate adaptation and resilience, such as addressing urban heat islands and reducing flooding during heavier-than-normal precipitation events.
Challenges to urban forest management have increased due to climate change, where locally adapted tree species are beginning to decline to due drought, pests and other related threats. Dr. Pamela Braff, Director of Climate Programs, joined the City’s team of urban foresters and arborists in scoping the Tree Canopy Assessment project to ensure that the resulting dataset would be a useful tool in supporting multiple climate-related projects.
Equity Analysis:
A key driver of the Tree Canopy Assessment was the urgent need to ensure both the benefits and challenges of urban trees are distributed equitably across Olympia’s communities. In a growing community like Olympia, there is a tension between ‘green infrastructure’ and the ecosystem services they provide and the need for affordable housing and economic development. This dataset will support future analysis to strategically address these questions and maximize the benefits of both.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community engagement activities tied to recent planning efforts, such as the Capital Mall Triangle Redevelopment Plan and the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, reveal a strong community emphasis on protecting Olympia’s urban forest.
Many comments received by the City over the years have specifically called out the need for a Tree Canopy Assessment and an Urban Forest Management Plan. Having this high-resolution, detailed analysis completed gives us the data necessary to ground-truth urban forestry needs and opportunities around the City and create well-informed goals and policies, to best address the needs of all community members. It also serves as an accessible resource for future engagement purposes.
Financial Impact:
None currently. Community Planning and Development is seeking funding to complete an Urban Forest Management Plan over the next 2 years.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing.
2. Do not receive the briefing.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Attachments:
None