Trees and shade are precious necessities in our southwestern desert environment, especially during harsh summer months. They are low cost and yield assets to the City’s green infrastructure. Trees improve air quality, reduce storm water runoff, and help offset urban heat island effects. In February 2008, City Council directed the creation of a multi-departmental City Tree and Shade Task Force to develop a Tree and Shade Master Plan. The Shade Master Plan will address: a tree inventory and assessment of the urban forestry resource; tree canopy goals; tree placement, replacement, and retrofit guidelines; a comprehensive tree maintenance plan based on best management practices; an evaluation of engineered shade structure design guidelines; design and installation of a downtown shade demonstration project; and expanded tree and shade educational opportunities.

Budget reductions in the Forestry section and the elimination of the Urban Forestry Program have challenged the Parks and Recreation Department to develop a creative model for tree planting and education efforts.

OTHER INFORMATION

The percent of urban forest cover (total vegetative cover) in the Phoenix area is low compared to regional standards. American Forests and Arizona State University report an approximate 13 percent urban green cover for the Phoenix area. American Forests’ standard shade canopy cover for western cities is 25 percent. Currently trees are being removed faster than they are replanted. In 2008, the Parks and Recreation and Street Transportation Departments removed approximately 3,928 trees (dead, weather damaged, dying or safety issues) and planted 3,706 trees. Over the past year, the Tree and Shade Task Force, a cooperative effort between the Parks and Recreation, Office of Arts and Culture, Planning, Street Transportation, Development Services, Engineering and Architectural Services, Neighborhood Services, Public Transit, Community and Economic Development, Downtown Development Office, Public Works, and Water Departments has met regularly to develop a Shade Master Plan and specific strategies to address the low percentage of urban forest canopy cover.

Despite numerous challenges, the City continues to be recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its tree planting and maintenance. The Task Force is addressing education, creating partnerships and revising policies and procedures designed to improve the sustainability and maintainability of the urban forest resource. The Task Force has identified new tree planting details, begun testing engineered soils, created training modules and made several recommendations for the revision of existing City Codes including development guidelines that would include potential tree banking and in lieu fees. Other accomplishments include:

· Tree planting partnership projects with: Home Depot, Progressive Insurance, Disney, and Bank of America and Shade Foundation of America.

· A state of the art demonstration project for the new Civic Space Park with solar panel covered shade canopies and engineered planting soils, 103 large trees, and 70 percent shade at maturity.

· Office of Arts and Culture Gimme Shelter shade design RFP generated 190 responses.

· Recommendations to update current City ordinances involving trees and vegetation in the Right of Way.

· Completion of the downtown tree study inventory.

· Revised shade canopy goals, including tree canopy for suburban, urban, and downtown areas utilizing “right tree, right place” criteria.

The Task Force is completing the Tree and Shade Master Plan and creating an action plan. Short and long term goals will facilitate the Urban Form Pedestrian Comfort Plan and revise City Codes dealing with vegetation maintenance in the Right of Way in other areas of the city. Other steps will include:

Issue an RFP for an evaluation of urban forestry canopy cover and health; identify appropriate best management practices for sustainable urban forests; identify key software to best manage urban forestry inventories by July 2009. (using Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Funds)
Continue tree inventory and assessment of the urban forest resources for all parks facilities and street landscape.
Develop and refine best management practices for tree maintenance plan.
Promote volunteer based community shade education and tree planting programs and continue development of corporate and community partners.
Produce a comprehensive report on street landscaping design and maintenance.
Build additional shade projects in the central city.

Despite budget and resource challenges, City departments are undeterred in their efforts to make the City of Phoenix the “Shade Capital of the Southwest Desert.”

RECOMMENDATION

This report is for information only.

TREE AND SHADE TASK FORCE OVERVIEW
WORK STUDY SESSION AGENDA
TO:	Rick Naimark Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		May 26, 2009
FROM:	Dale Larsen, CPRP Acting Director Parks and Recreation Department	ITEM:	2
SUBJECT:	TREE AND SHADE TASK FORCE OVERVIEW

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