Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste & Recycling
CM/ ACM: Jon Fortune
Date: December 6, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding findings and recommendations from Denton's recently completed citywide tree resource assessment.
Body
BACKGROUND
A city's urban forest is comprised of all the trees that grow on public or private land within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs). Much can be learned through surveying the urban forest's condition, characteristics, and associated risks. The City of Denton first conducted an inquiry into urban forest condition in 2010, through a partnership with faculty and students from the University of North Texas (UNT) Geography Department. This project obtained an estimated percentage of canopy cover for the city using aerial satellite imagery, but had limited applicability in terms of urban forest resource management and planning. Since 2010, advances in tree assessment technology, along with Denton's ongoing residential and commercial growth, have created the opportunity to obtain in-depth information on the state of Denton's urban forest.
In early 2016, the City's key community partner for urban forestry programs, Keep Denton Beautiful, was tasked with leading the effort to complete a citywide tree resource assessment and tree canopy analysis. In coordination with key City staff from Planning, Parks, Environmental Services & Sustainability, and other departments, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued, and Preservation Tree Services was selected to complete the study. Field work began in June, and the final project report was delivered at the beginning of November.
Research and Analysis
The goals of the Tree Resource Assessment project include: 1) establish a baseline of data for the state of Denton's urban forest; 2) obtain a comprehensive picture of tree diversity, age, distribution, locations, and condition; 3) assist in future pol...
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