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Home My WebLink AboutCAP 2015-05-26 Item 2B - Green City PartnershipTO: City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM Mayor Haggerton Community Affairs and Parks Committee FROM: Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director BY: Robert Eaton, Parks and Recreation Superintendent' < DATE: May 20, 2015 SUBJECT: Green City Partnerships ISSUE Green City Partnerships Presentation by Forterra BACKGROUND Forterra has potentially identified the City of Tukwila as a good candidate to be a "Green City" because of our green spaces, nice parks, the Duwamish /Green River and already being a "Tree City" USA member. Various Councilmembers, City Administration and City Staff have provided positive feedback in regards to the idea of being "Green Tukwila" therefore, Forterra is presenting to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee the benefits of being a Green City what partnering with them to develop a Green City Plan for Tukwila would entail. DISCUSSION The process for developing and establishing a Green City is a two year task. The scope for year one focuses on Forterra conducting a forested park and natural area assessment. From there they would develop a Green Tukwila Partnership 20 -Year Plan. Year two focuses on the implementation specifics by creating a Stewardship Plan, a Forest Steward Program and providing on -going support of stewards. Essential staff will work closely with Forterra throughout this two year process. Currently there is no budget for this program however, a budget amendment could be completed by staff if Council so desires to proceed further with the Green City program. FINANCIAL IMPACT The initial expense of this program is $10,000 in 2015 and an additional $30,000 in 2016 for a combined $40,000 in the next two years. Forterra is committed to contribute $60,000 in partnership with the City of Tukwila's $40,000 to develop this $100,000 Green Tukwila plan. There is also a work effort commitment and annual financial commitment to implement and sustain the program over the 20 year plan. This will be discussed in the presentation. RECOMMENDATION The Council is being asked to provide direction to staff in regards to this program. Below are two options identified by staff: 1) Direct staff to complete a budget amendment for $40,000 for the two year plan and bring a proposed Agreement with Forterra back to CAP for recommendation. 2) Direct staff to not pursue this any further at this time but thank you for the presentation. ATTACHMENTS A. Green City Partnerships — Presentation B. Green City Partnerships C. Green City Partnerships — Tukwila Estimate GReen citY PARTNERSHIPS Restoring Urban Greenspace through Community Stewardship FORTSRRA Benefits to Healthy Urban Forests • Clean Air and Water • Natural Water Retention and Erosion Control • Habitat for Local Wildlife • Recreational and Educational Opportunities • Revitalized Neighborhoods • Improved Property Values • Greenhouse Gas Reduction • Carbon Sequestration • Physical and Mental Wellness • And more..... Saving Our Urban Greenspace forested If We Do Nothing.... If i res.tored Aggressive non-ngive vegetation will dominate unless removed. In ioo yearsr the tree$ will be gone. City ofkials estimate that potentially billions of dollars stormwater control will be lost. FTESENT -.11111P'` IN 20 YEARS IN I YEARS IN 100 YEARS We Can Reverse the Trend If forested natural areas are restored Aggressively removing invasive vegetation and planting native trees and shrubs will return the urban forest to a more sustainable condition. In moo years, the forest will provide the city valuable services and better resist invasive plant infestations.. PRESENT IN 20 YEARS IN 50 YEARS IN 100 YEARS Community Stewardship Eve[•. IZirkland Redmond Kent qac ma" Puyallup . Regional Approach Green Cities Goals: • 7,800 acres (and growing) • Improve urban forest and natural area health • Galvanize an informed and involved community • Ensure long term sustainability Accomplishments: • 1,750 acres in restoration • 239 Stewards • 900,000 Volunteer hours Becoming a Green City I. Establish Green City Partnership start -up resources and agreement 2. Identify parks and natural areas to be included 3. Perform a "rapid assessment" of park and natural area conditions (sometime between April -Sept) 4. Results of assessment feed into Green Tukwila Partnership Strategic Plan • Map and graphical presentation of forest and natural area health • Volunteer investment and cost model • Restoration prioritization • Partnership goals and vision • Benchmarks and timeline 5. Establish community -based stewardship program • Steward recruitment, training and support Develop park specific stewardship plans • Host work parties and engage the community • Track progress towards Strategic Plan benchmarks and goals. • 643 El N TI C FIEl Ii INC COUNTY 0,11,1 IND•NRTIONAI 'n°""""" X- E ` r.i i k- 4 . V , ! p t • 7 "T BLSCE RIVER FORT,T : r SEATTLE TACOMA INT'L AIRPORT 4 L th kf 3cunbrmlev WETLANDS 411,1Lrrf City of Tukwila Parks $ Recreation • Map produced in partnership wvt the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Long -term Investment Annual program costs • Depends on scope (total acres and timeline) of the plan • Varies by city depending on current investment to restoration • Forterra works with City to modify restoration goals to fit their projected funding levels • Identify grants and other funding mechanisms to sustain long -term funding for the program. Costs includes: • Staff (program management, volunteer recruitment and support) • Restoration materials and tools • Marketing and program tracking (database, website, etc.) • Professional /youth employment restoration crewtime Questions? Jennifer Chang jchang @forterra.org GREEN CITY' PARTNERSHIPS GREEN CITY PARTNERSHIPS Healthy forested parks and greenspaces have the power to strengthen neighborhoods, provide safe access to nature, and offer numerous valuable "green services ". Without a coordinated regional effort to restore and care for our urban parks, we are at risk of losing the many benefits these forests and natural areas provide. To date, Forterra has launched Green City Partnerships in seven cities including Seattle, Tacoma, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, Everett and Puyallup. These unique public /private partnerships bring together the City, Forterra, thousands of community volunteers, other nonprofits, and businesses to create a sustainable network of healthy forested parks and natural areas throughout the region. 44 cl, en-� Healthy Forest Benefits: • Improve air and water quality • Reduce runoff and fight erosion • Buffer noise, • improve property values • Create habitat for wildlife • Convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and reduce global warming A Growing Problem Many of our region's parks and natural areas are heavily infested with English ivy, Himalayan blackberry and other invasive plants. Additionally, many of the trees in our urban parks are at the end of their lifespan. As these trees die, invasive plants are preventing the next generation of trees from growing, leaving us at risk of losing the many benefits our forests provide in just 20 years! If forested parklands are Not Restored PRESENT - IN 20 YEARS IN SO YEARS INTRO TEARS A Community -based Solution Restoring our urban parks requires a partnership and coordinated effort. Green City Partnerships are harnessing the power of our communities and creating a culture of volunteerism and stewardship to save our local forested parks and natural areas. The Green City Partnerships combined log over 115,000 volunteer hours at more than 1000 stewardship events each year. These events provide hands -on opportunities for residents young and old to take action and care for the parks they love. Forterra works with cities to recruit, train, and support passionate volunteer leaders to serve as Stewards. Stewards are the mainstay of the program, organizing work parties and resources for their park, connecting with local neighbors and community groups, 83 and working to meet restoration goals in their park. There are now over 240 Stewards working across the seven cities. Be the next Green City! Using a model and best management practices developed over the past 10 years, Forterra works with cities to develop a partnership that meet each city's individual needs and capacity. The Green Cities combined share three core goals for their forested parks and natural areas: • Improve the quality of life, connections to nature, and enhance forest benefits in cities by restoring our forested parks and natural areas • Galvanize an informed and active community • Ensure long -term sustainable funding and community support Forterra Green City Partnership services include: • City -wide forested park and natural area assessment. • Strategic and restoration planning • Volunteer program development and guidance • Education and training for volunteers • Restoration tracking systems • Green City outreach and community engagement. • On the ground stewardship projects and event support The process of forming a new Green City with Forterra involves an initial assessment of the current acreage and condition of a city's forested parks and natural areas. With this information Forterra works with the city to develop and implement a 20 -year strategic plan with the forest assessment results, cost estimates, volunteer projections, and strategic benchmarks to achieve restoration goals over a set timeline. Forterra support also includes developing a community -based volunteer stewardship program to support restoration efforts across the city. In addition, Forterra facilitates connections across the Partnerships through the Green Cities Network, providing a venue for resource sharing, idea creation and consistency in regional restoration efforts. For more information visit our website: www.forterra.org or contact Joanna Nelson de Flores, Green Cities Director 1 206 - 905 -6913 1 jnelson @forterra.org 84 CITY PARTNERSHIPS Forterra Services: Establishing a New Green City Rate Hours Value Year One: 20 -Year Plan 1) Conduct forest assessment for Tukwila parks and open spaces Forterra PM staff $100 20 $ 2,000.00 Forterra GIS staff $125 40 $ 5,000.00 Travel $ 100.00 Forestry Subconsultant - data collection /GIS* 4) Establish Forest Steward Program with Field Guide, recruit and train Stewards $ 12,000.00 Subtotal Forterra staff $100 $ 19,100.00 This amount will vary depending on land to be inventoried - $12,000 will cover approximately 400 acres, depending on subdivision of Habitat Management Units. Travel 2) Create official Green Tukwila Partnership 20 -year Plan $ 120.00 Supplies /materials Forterra staff $100 340 $ _ _ 3.4,000.00 Travel $ 8,320.00 $ 100.00 Supplies /materials for public meeting $ 200.00 Subconsultant - layout, design and copy editor $ 8,000.00 Printing 150 $ 15,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Subtotal $ 360.00 $ 44,300.00 Total Forest Assessment and 20 -year Plan (Year One)] $ 63,400.00 Year Two: Establish Stewardship Program 3) Create Stewardship Plans for 2 first -year restoration projects Forterra staff $100 80 $ 8,000.00 Travel $ 120.00 Subtotal $ 8,120.00 4) Establish Forest Steward Program with Field Guide, recruit and train Stewards Forterra staff $100 80 $ 8,000.00 Travel $ 120.00 Supplies /materials $ 200.00 Subtotal $ 8,320.00 5) Provide on -going support to Stewards (Organize and run /assist FS with up to 10 volunteer restoration events, tracking systems) Forterra staff $100 150 $ 15,000.00 Travel $ 360.00 Supplies /materials (including plants, snacks, coffee for work parties) $ 1,200.00 (2X) On -site Toolbox and full standard restoration hand tools for 15 -20 people $ 3,600.00 Subtotal $ 20,160.00 Total Establish Stewardship Program (Year two) $ 36,600.00 TOTAL Combined (Year One and Two): $ 100,000.00 Proposed Forterra Contribution $ 60,000.00 Proposed City of Tukwila Contribution 10K in Year One (2015- 2016), and 30K in Year Two (2016 -2017) $ Estimated additional city staff investment at 50 -75 hours per year, depending on level of involvement. 40,000.00 85