Urban Forest Management Plan Services

The Vendor is required to provide urban forest management plan services for include
1. Inventory and assessment
• Conduct a comprehensive inventory of all publicly owned trees within the town of town using GIS-based data collection tools and GPS-enabled devices.
• Isa certified arborists shall record species, size (DBH), condition rating, location, and preliminary risk ratings for each tree.
• Tree dimensions shall be verified using equivalent measurement technology to improve precision.
• The resulting dataset shall establish a baseline understanding of the urban forest, including species composition, age structure, spatial distribution, and risk profiles.
• Data collection shall follow ISA-aligned field data standards and use a standardized collection protocol to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout.
• Quality control reviews shall be conducted throughout the inventory to validate data completeness and reliability.
2. Canopy analysis and growth estimation
• Analyze existing public tree canopy cover using the updated GIS-based tree inventory.
• Assess private canopy coverage using available aerial imagery.
• Use i-tree or equivalent spatial analysis tools to evaluate species diversity, canopy extent, and ecosystem services.
• Model projected canopy change over a 10-year period based on current inventory data, anticipated plantings, and expected tree removals or losses.
• Establish realistic canopy targets for the community based on this analysis.
• Identify areas with lower canopy density across public lands to inform future planting priorities.
3. Public consultation
• Engage residents, community groups, municipal staff, and key stakeholders through an accessible and inclusive consultation process.
• Consultation shall gather input on urban forest priorities, canopy goals, species preferences, planting locations, and perceptions of existing tree conditions.
• Methods shall include an online public survey distributed through municipal communication channels, at minimum one in-person or virtual public engagement session, and targeted outreach to underserve.
• The consultant shall provide opportunities to consult with indigenous communities, including the nation (blood tribe) and other representatives within treaty 7 territory, regarding land stewardship, species selection, and ecological management perspectives.
• An engagement summary shall be prepared as a supporting deliverable.
• All engagement activities shall adhere to accessible and plain-language communication standards.
4. Climate change analysis
• Assess regional climate risks and environmental stressors affecting the urban forest in state, including drought frequency, extreme heat events, changing precipitation patterns, and windstorm risk.
• Evaluate the suitability of current and candidate tree species under projected future climate conditions.
• Provide recommendations for climate-adapted species selection, planting design, and soil management practices suited to town prairie climate, clay-dominant soils, and irrigation constraints.
• Identify specific vulnerabilities in the current urban forest related to climate stress, including risks posed by the heavy reliance on spruce and green ash identified in the town's 2009 urban forest assessment.
5. Tree planting strategy and tree pruning strategy
• Develop a data-driven tree planting strategy identifying priority planting areas, recommended species, species diversification targets, planting design guidance, site preparation requirements, and establishment practices suited to town soil and climate conditions.
• Develop a tree pruning and risk management strategy providing recommended pruning cycles, risk assessment protocols, criteria for prioritizing maintenance and removal, and guidance for managing high-risk trees.
• Both strategies shall be practical, aligned with municipal operational capacity, and consistent with long-term canopy and resilience objectives.