Ian Gray – Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Manager | 425-430-6601 | IGray@RentonWA.gov

Rooted in Renton

Join us on the Journey of constructing Renton’s Urban Forest Management Plan 10-Year Update

We’d like to hear your Rooted in Renton Tree Story!

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The City’s Community Services Department, led by the Urban Forestry & Natural Resources team, manages public trees in Renton and is in the process of developing a 10-year update to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan (“Plan” or “UFMP”) with PlanIT Geo’s urban forestry consultants. This Plan will serve as a road map to support the long-term dedication to maintain and enhance the urban forest. The Plan will provide an integrated approach to preserving, sustaining, diversifying, and regenerating Renton’s urban forest into the future. By conducting an in depth review of existing City codes, policies, and plans regarding the urban forest as well as gathering input from the community, the goals, objectives, strategies, actions, and monitoring techniques will be developed for urban forest management Citywide. Instrumental to the development of this Plan, is the participation from the community.

Urban Forest Management Plan

The urban forest is comprised of all trees in the City, both native and planted, that contribute to the seasonal beauty and livability of the community. Whether it is a large, majestic western hemlock, or a young flowering cherry, trees greatly contribute to the sense of place and quality of life in Renton. Trees help clean the air, conserve the soil and water, reduce heating and cooling costs, and bring nature close to where we live. Renton’s urban forest is a valuable asset that, if maintained, will continue to add to the health of our community for generations to come.

Tree Inventory

A working tree inventory is based upon past tree inventories conducted in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Since 2014, the inventory has been updated daily as city staff encounter and perform tree inspections. The inventory is updated using a tablet by an inspector in the field who has the ability to view and edit the data contained in the inventory. Tree removals are cataloged in the inventory as are potential planting spaces where no trees exist and where tree pruning might be indicated.

Urban Tree canopy Assessment

Project TIMELINE

June 2021

Public Survey #1

June/July 2021

Information Discovery & Research

July 2021

City Operations & Workflows Workshop

August 2021

Existing Conditions Analysis & Benchmarking Research

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August 2021

Public Survey #2

October-November 2021

Draft UFMP

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January 2022

Presentations to Parks Commission and City Council

February 2022

Final UFMP

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PARTNERS

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CONSULTANTS

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

External stakeholders to be identified during the project.

CITY OF RENTON

CITY OF RENTON

City Council (Mayor, Council)

Executive (Communications and Public Affairs, Chief Administrative Officer)

City Attorney

Administrative Services Department (IT/GIS & Mapping, Fiscal Services)

Human Resources and Risk Management Department

Community & Economic Development Department (Long Range and Current Planning, Code Compliance)

Community Services Department (Parks and Trails, Parks Planning & Natural Resources, Urban Forestry)

Police Department

Public Works Department (Maintenance, Transportation Systems, Utility Systems)

COMMUNITY GROUPS

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Community Groups to be identified during the project.

External stakeholders

External stakeholders to be identified during the project.

City of Renton

City Council (Mayor, Council)

Executive (Communications and Public Affairs, Chief Administrative Officer)

City Attorney

Administrative Services Department (IT/GIS & Mapping, Fiscal Services)

Human Resources and Risk Management Department

Community & Economic Development Department (Long Range and Current Planning, Code Compliance)

Community Services Department (Parks and Trails, Parks Planning & Natural Resources, Urban Forestry)

Police Department

Public Works Department (Maintenance, Transportation Systems, Utility Systems)

Community Groups

Community groups to be identified during the project.