Title
Draft Urban Forestry Strategic Plan Briefing
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the status of the draft Urban Forestry Strategic Plan
Report
Issue:
Staff and Elizabeth Walker, Terra Firma Consulting, will provide an update on the development of an Urban Forestry Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). Work to date on the Strategic Plan has emphasized understanding the existing challenges to providing comprehensive urban forestry program services and identifying possible strategies to address those challenges.
Staff Contact:
Michelle (Shelly) Bentley, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Michelle (Shelly) Bentley, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development
Elizabeth Walker, Terra Firma Consulting
Background and Analysis:
The Urban Forestry Program has experienced significant funding and staff reductions over the last four years, which have resulted in a decline in urban forestry community services and management activities. The program is currently staffed with one full-time employee, an Associate Planner in Community Planning and Development (CPD). Funding for the Urban Forestry Program was discussed during 2014 2015 Council budget discussions, and at the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC). As a result, the CPD Associate Planner position was increased from 0.5 to 1.0 FTE. LUEC also directed staff to develop options for how to structure, fund, and manage or improve the Urban Forestry Program.
To accomplish this, staff applied for and was awarded a $10,000 USDA Forest Service and Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) Urban and Community Forestry Program Community Forestry Assistance Grant. The grant funds were used to hire a consultant, Elizabeth Walker of Terra Firma Consulting, to work collaboratively with staff and members of a PRAC sub-committee to...
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