Urban Forest Management Plan Services

The vendor is required to provide to work with the department of conservation and development and other local agencies to develop and implement an urban forest management plan (UFMP).
- Tree canopy survey and urban heat assessment:
• UFMP development will begin with a tree canopy survey that will identify canopy gaps and priority areas for intervention.
• The survey will identify areas where increasing tree canopy can result in decreased exposure to extreme heat, among other benefits.  
• Surveying an area as large as the unincorporated communities of contra costa county will likely require the use of mapping tools such as lidar.
• The consultant will perform the tree canopy survey and urban heat assessment.
• The consultant will be expected to collaborate with the watershed project and other project partners in this citizen-science inventory.
- UFMP policies and best practices:
• The UFMP will include recommended policies and best practices for planting and maintaining trees on private and public properties.
• This will include identifying tree species and best tree planting and maintenance practices for reducing average and extreme temperatures in the most impacted areas, improving air quality, increasing public awareness of extreme heat risks, and enhancing community resilience.
• The planting lists should identify suitable tree species for contra costa county based on their native status, fire resistance, and potential adaptability to increasing temperatures and increased drought due to climate change; address the two climate zones in contra costa county; and include a soils analysis to determine suitability for different tree species.
• This work will be informed by engagement with the advisory working group.
- Ongoing funding options:
• An important part of the UFMP will be identifying potential funding sources to sustain the long-term implementation and maintenance of the UFMP, particularly on county-owned property.
• This study will be developed by the consultant and should include a range of options, potentially including green financing districts, community partnerships, and local funding mechanisms, as well as other strategies.
- Implementation and monitoring strategy:
• The UFMP will include a section on ongoing implementation and monitoring, to be developed by the consultant, with input from the advisory working group.
- Advisory working group:
• At key points in the UFMP development process, the county and the consultant will host meetings of a technical advisory group.
• Partners sustainable contra costa and the watershed project will assist in designing the advisory working group process.
• The advisory working group is anticipated to include participation from county departments including public works and the fire protection district, community partner organizations, and community members, who are expected to be recruited from the extreme heat and urban forest academy described below.
- Contract Period/Term: 2.5 Years
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 05, 2025