Herrera Partners with Redmond to Champion Parks as Climate Heroes

By Rachel Johnson

If you have visited a park in the City of Redmond in 2024, you might have noticed some significant and exciting transformations: wildflower plantings, naturalized meadows, and low-mow areas. Driven by their community’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, these changes stem from the City’s bold initiative to position parks as climate heroes, fulfilling their community’s “vision for healthier, more climate-resilient green spaces.”

Increasing Climate Resilience with Practical Solutions
Municipalities across the region face increasing pressure to address climate impacts while maintaining public spaces. To meet this challenge, Herrera supported the City of Redmond in developing their forward-thinking Climate Resiliency and Sustainability in Vegetation Management (CRSVM) Plan, outlining adjustments in operations and maintenance, and identifying locations for rewilding, to align with the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The CRSVM Plan is a clear roadmap for implementing climate-resilient practices in vegetation management – a user-friendly guide and reference document for future improvements. Maintenance staff were key teammates in the development and success of the plan. Their local expertise, on-the-ground knowledge, and creative ideas helped develop practical adjustments. Key actions from the plan include increasing tree canopy, and expanding native plantings through naturalized meadows, understory plantings, pollinator gardens, and roadside meadows. These actions have far-reaching benefits. In addition to helping to address climate impacts, climate-smart vegetation strategies can reduce negative impacts like fossil fuel and water use, while increasing biodiversity, and creating beautiful landscapes.

Bringing Plans to Life in Redmond’s Parks
Implementing climate-resilient strategies can feel daunting, but Redmond demonstrates what’s possible with intentional planning and collaboration, beginning with their parks. This summer, they established 19 test sites throughout city parks to introduce low-mow and no-mow zones and meadows, expand tree canopy, and experiment with pollinator gardens (PHOTOS). The city has also begun testing electrical equipment replacement options, innovating with on-site leaf management, and planting wildflower meadows. These pilot projects revealed valuable lessons, including the critical importance of bare earth preparation for successful meadow establishment.

Building Momentum for Long-Term Impact
We applaud the City of Redmond on taking these bold steps. Their implementation of the CRSVM Plan demonstrates a thoughtful approach to scaling up climate-resilient practices, laying the groundwork for broader, impactful changes across the city. Herrera continues to partner with communities across the region to create landscapes that stand up to climate challenges. Through innovating and adapting, we can build more climate resilient landscapes that are amazing places for both people and wildlife. We’re excited to go see Redmond’s parks in full bloom this spring!

 

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