Napa To Kick-Off Citywide Urban Forest Management Plan

Press release from the City of Napa:

NAPA, CA — The City of Napa is in the process of developing a City-wide Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). The UFMP is the first of its kind and will benchmark the existing urban forest and communicate direction and shared vision for the care, preservation, and enhancement of the urban forest over the next 40 years.

The development of the UFMP involves a comprehensive review and assessment of the structure and composition of Napa’s tree resource, the extent and distribution of tree canopy and other land cover within the community, guiding documents that impact urban forestry, the current service and funding levels, and the community’s vision for the future.

The City of Napa will kick off community engagement efforts with a community meeting on Wednesday, June 19, from 5 pm – 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers (955 School Street, Napa).

Feedback from stakeholders/managing partners and community members is an important part of the development of the UFMP. Community members are encouraged to complete the project survey following the meeting to provide feedback.

Stay tuned to learn more about upcoming meetings dates and events, as well as project progress here: www.cityofnapa.org/ufmp

Project Background

In 2021 the City of Napa applied for the 2021/2022 Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program (“Program”) offered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). CAL FIRE’s Urban & Community Forestry Program works to optimize the benefits of trees and related vegetation through multiple objective projects as specified in the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978. The purpose of this grant type is to fund the development and implementation of urban forest management activities carried out by a local government jurisdiction to optimize the multiple benefits of its urban forest. In 2022, the City received notice that the Urban Forest Management Activities application was accepted and proceeded with distributing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to potential firms. As a result, Davey Resource Group (DRG) was awarded the project scope of services. DRG is a qualified urban forestry management consultant that has completed urban forestry planning state and nationwide. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2025.

The scope and objectives of this grant includes completing an inventory of city managed trees using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as well as integration with tree specific management software. This inventory information will be used to develop a long-term Urban Forestry Management Plan. GIS Land Cover mapping will be used to evaluate relative tree health, stormwater analysis, climate vulnerability, urban heat island, canopy coverage, ecosystem services (air pollution/carbon) and wildfire risk. In addition to the inventory and management plan, the City plans to engage in community outreach efforts in partnership with DRG and Napa Resource Conservation District (Napa RCD). These efforts will include increasing community awareness, education on the benefits of urban forestry and input on plan development.

www.cityofnapa.org/ufmp

This press release was produced by the City of Napa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.