Redmond Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Vegetation Management Plan

A changing climate plus continued urban development increases the stress on urban vegetation. Climate change and development also increase the importance of healthy and diverse ecosystems. Herrera supported the City of Redmond in developing a forward-looking roadmap for vegetation management throughout the City. The Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Vegetation Management Plan builds on previous work done by Herrera and others and identifies implementable strategies and actions that both improve the resiliency of the natural environment and the sustainability of resource use.
The Herrera team engaged a cross-departmental City team to define plan goals and objectives. To develop the plan, we assessed community, demographic, land use, and climate trends, audited plans and polices, held a SWOT workshop to identify themes in current vegetation management, led focused workshops on tree canopy and rewilding opportunities, and conducted geospatial analyses to identify locations of need for enhanced vegetation. The plan identifies the following: locations to increase tree canopy cover and increase biodiversity through rewilding, adjustments to maintenance practices that decrease resource use, and detailed plant palettes of species that are well-adapted to current and future City conditions. This plan aids the City of Redmond in increasing its climate resilience and sustainability, while also supporting aesthetic, wildlife, and economic benefits for the community.