This is an invitation seeking proposals from consultants to research and prepare relevant information on developing a strategy/plan for planting 5,000 trees in vacant right-of-way locations and city-owned land within five years. The Consultant will also present the Street Tree Repopulation with an Equity Lens study report to City Council and the Sunnyvale Park and Recreation Commission. The City’s Urban Forest Management Plan’s (UFMP) goal is to increase the urban tree canopy to 20.5%. Currently, canopy coverage is at 18.5% (2007 data); achieving the goal of 20.5% would require adding 29,000 new trees. The City’s Climate Action Playbook’s Play 4.3 goal is to enhance natural carbon sequestration capacity by implementing various strategies, including Move 4.F (Implement the City’s UFMP and continue to protect and greatly expand tree canopy). Further, prioritizing trees in underserved neighborhoods is aligned with Council’s Policy Priority of Equity, Access, and Inclusion. This Study Issue aims to ensure the available resources are used to add trees in underserved, low-income neighborhoods, or neighborhoods with the least amount of tree cover.
