Urban Forest

Urban Forest

Planting trees and tree management to protect the growth and lifespan of trees has many co-benefits including stormwater reduction, improved public health, improved water and air quality, energy savings, and other human and environmental benefits. Trees help stabilize the soil, which reduces stormwater runoff and creates stormwater management cost savings. Reduced stormwater decreases soil erosion and pollutant runoff into City creeks and other waterways. Trees increase groundwater recharge, increasing storage of water in the soil and aquifers. Beyond benefiting the City water management system, trees have economic, aesthetic, and health benefits from reduced noise pollution, higher commercial and residential property values, lower air conditioning costs, increased patronage of and spending at businesses, decreased effects of air pollution, decreased recovery time for hospital patients, lower crime rates, and other benefits.

The City of Willits seeks to promote the benefits of trees, maintain the urban forest to ensure diversity of age and species, mitigate canopy loss, minimizes hazards, and, when appropriate, conserve heritage trees that contribute to the city’s “urban forest.” The City also wishes to align with state and federal urban forestry goals such as: mitigating and adapting to climate change; protecting and improving water and air quality; conserving energy; reducing the impacts of development; improving community health and well-being, building urban forest resilience, and sequestering carbon emissions in our urban trees.

Events:


Resources:
Arbor Day Programs
California Releaf
Friends of the Urban Forest (San Francisco)
Water-Wise Young Landscape Tree Care
Specifications for Selecting, Planting, and Early Care of Young Trees
Vibrant Cities Lab
California Community and Neighborhood Tree Fund (SB 347)

Media Articles:
Willits Weekly Article Virtual Meeting on Urban Forest Management Plan (2/4/2021)
Arborists in Massachusetts
Six Ways Nature Helps Children Learn
Public Health Benefits of Urban Trees (Palo Alto)
Implementing Green Infrastructure (Alachua County, FL)
Nature-based Learning During Covid (Mendocino Beacon)

Educational Materials:
What do Trees do in the Winter
Water-Wise Young Landscape Tree Care
Specifications for Selecting, Planting, and Early Care of Young Trees
Vibrant Cities Lab
Tips for Saving Water and Saving Trees
CalFire – Getting Ready for Wildfire Season
Urban Forestry Awards (2021)
Wisconsin K-12 Urban Forest Lesson Guide

Urban Forest Management Plan:
UFMP Community Meeting Notes (2/11/2021)
UFMP Community Meeting Recording (2/11/2021)
Willits UFMP Public Draft Oct 2021
Willits Council Meeting UFMP Public Draft Powerpoint 10/27/2021 
Willits UFMP Public Draft Technical Assessment Oct 2021
Tree Maintenance Responsibility Graphic (english)
Tree Maintenance Responsibility Graphic (español)
Willits Urban Forest Management Plan_Final
Willits Technical Assesment_Final