Presentation: Increasing Urban Forest Sustainability Treasure Valley, Idaho

Increasing Urban Forest Sustainability and Growth
with Regional Trail Networks: Treasure Valley, Idaho
Joshua DuBois
FES 506 Capstone
Oregon State University
Winter 2018

OUTLINE
Section 1. Abstract
Section 2. Introduction
Section 3. Background and Methodology
Section 4. Results and Analysis
Section 5. Discussion
Section 6. Recommendations
Section 7. Conclusion
Section 8. References

1. ABSTRACT
-How can a Regional Trail Network (RTN) increase the sustainability and health of urban
forest (UF) throughout the Treasure Valley, ID?
-How a RTN can help gain wider support of the (UF) than traditional outreach methods by
focusing on the beneficiaries and user experiences of UF services.
-Current UTC of Treasure Valley is 10% with a goal of approximately 20%.
-How to leverage Cultural, Economic and Environmental Factors of sustainable urban
forestry to gain broad support of UF initiatives.
-Discuss the cities of Atlanta and Singapore that have successfully implemented regional
trail programs and how these examples can be applied to the Treasure Valley.

2. INTRODUCTION
-Boise and the Treasure Valley are located in the SW
Region of the state of Idaho.
-Nine cities make reside in the TV, with a total
Population of 600,000.
-Boise metro is the fastest growing city in 2018
according to Forbes.
-Urban Forests provide vital ecosystem services.
-A regional trail network could be a way to increase UTC and UF health by creating
more planting space along trails and broadening the base of potential UF
stakeholders.

2. INTRODUCTION: Continued
-Benefits of the UF span across academic disciplines, municipal jurisdictions,
racial and socio-economic divides--therefore the management approach should
also span these divides.
-The UF should should be managed through a cooperative, coordinated,
multidisciplinary approach.
-A Rail with Trail proposal from Nampa, ID to Boise, ID will cross multiple city
boundaries, is proposed to be built on an active railroad ROW.

3.1 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Rail Trails
-Rail Trail: “multi-purpose public paths created from former railroad
corridors…...Ideal for many uses, such as walking, bicycling, inline skating, cross-
country skiing, and equestrian and wheelchair use, rail-trails are extremely
popular for both transportation and recreation” (Rails to Trails Conservancy,
2018).
-Becoming increasingly popular as sustainable tourism products (Reis 2012)
-Key factors directly influencing visitor experiences include signage, restrooms,
water availability and the lack of “shade and/or trees” (Taylor 2015). Note the
lack of trees as a factor.
-Studies document the link of increasing tourism/economic activity and public
health with the creation and promotion of rail trails.

3.3 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Successful examples at home and abroad
3.3a Atlanta Beltline
-Will connect 45 neighborhoods via a 22 mile multi-use
trail loop.
-2,800 trees planted so far and 11 acres of native grasses.
-Green infrastructure providing multiple benefits of
stormwater remediation, multi use trails and wildlife
habitat.
-Since 2005 more than $1 billion of private investment
has taken shape in the form of 50 different projects
around the beltline.

3.3b Singapore Park Connector (PCN)
-Park Connectors are the greenway networks
that link parks throughout the city-state.
-Since initial planning in the 1990’s trail mileage
has grown to approximately 190 miles.
-A key strategy and selling point for government
endorsement has been selecting low value land
reserved as drainage buffers for greenway
development (Tan 2006).

3.3c Treasure Valley, ID
-Boise River Greenbelt:
-25 mile multi-use path along the Boise River.
-Connects neighborhoods to downtown Boise, the
river and Boise Foothills via the Ridge to Rivers Trail
System.
-Ridge to Rivers Trail System:
-190 mile trail network that connects Boise neighborhoods and the Boise River Greenbelt to the Foothills.
-Ridge to Rivers is a partnership consisting “of the City of Boise, Ada County, the Bureau of Land Management
Four Rivers Field Office, the Boise National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Partnership
exists under a multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding, with the City of Boise serving as the lead agency”
(Ridge to Rivers 2018).

3.3 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Rail With Trail Proposal
3.3c Treasure Valley, ID
Rail with Trail Proposal
-The Treasure Valley Rail with Trail
proposal is for a 28 mile trail from
Nampa, through Meridian and
terminating at the Boise Train Depot.
-Since 2015 there are more than 240
Rail with Trails in the U.S.
-These successful examples can serve
as a precedent for this rail trail in the TV.

3.3 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Identify Stakeholders
“You can have everything in life you want, if you’ll just help enough other people get what
they want” Zig Ziglar.
-Marketing and Branding should be considered crucial to the success of any UF program.
-Just as in corporate marketing which links products to the experience and not necessarily the
product so should urban forestry plans/programs link the UF to the experiences derived from
the UF and UF benefits.
-Customers with the most influence should be the focus of the marketing message. The
motivations, beliefs and attitudes of political leaders, policymakers, city councillors, local
businesses, NGO groups and citizen groups should all be studied and understood to better
focus marketing efforts (Hewlett 2007).
-Urban greening is “suggested to be compatible with the purposes of city branding….” (Fock
et al 2018).

3.3 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Identify Stakeholders Cont’d
-One example of a city branding effort.
-Lasting Environments, Innovative Enterprises
and Vibrant Communities.
-Branding “can only remain strong and relatable to its
stakeholders if the authority aligns policies and initiatives to live
up to the image it is projecting” (Fock 2018).
-If cities are going to promote greenways, trails and a healthy
UF with sustainable management policies it better show in the
quality of the UF, parks, trails.

3.4 Social, Economic, Ethical aspects and Political drivers of UTC increase and Trail
Completions
Social
-People who use and support the greenways and trails including politicians, city
and county representatives, NGO groups and the public.
-Potential key stakeholders/partners: Treasure Valley Canopy Network, Rails to
Trails Conservancy, Union Pacific Railroad, COMPASS, St. Luke’s Hospital, City of
Meridian, City of Boise, City of Nampa, Ada County, Canyon County.
-Other potential stakeholders/partners: Safe Routes Treasure Valley, Treasure
Valley Cycling Alliance, Idaho Power Company and Foundation for Ada/Canyon
Trail System (FACTS).

Completions
Economic
-Trees have been documented to increase property values, increase time and
money spent in commercial zones and increase public health among many many
other benefits.
-Atlanta Beltline--there has been more than $1 billion in new and private
development around the Beltline since 2005.
-There is no reason not to expect similar results in the Treasure Valley with similar
planning and public outreach.

Completions
Ethical
-Frequency and volume of greenway use
decreases as the distance from the greenway
increases (Akpinar 2015).
-Having an abundance of interconnected trail
routes would help to provide equitable access to
UTC cover trails, green space and parks.
-The magnified areas on this map are
Environmental Justice Consideration areas that are actually on the
route of the proposed Treasure Valley rail with trail and should be a marketable attribute of
the proposal.

Completions
Political Drivers
-The long distance nature of linear trails, crossing political boundaries makes
collaboration between multiple cities and intercity departments, landowners and
advocates for and against trails inevitable (Taylor 2015).
-Local community associations, friends’ groups and cooperative bodies are pivotal to the
success of a rail trail through their contributions to the development, funding,
interpretation, maintenance and promotion of trails (Taylor 2015).
-These groups can act as political drivers by being capturing the support of the local
communities they serve and show trail/tree support to politicians and representatives in
their respective coalitions.

3.5 Time, Space and Landscape aspects of Sustainable Urban Forestry and Regional Trail
Networks
Time
-The Treasure Valley rail trail proposal has no time frame specified.
-The City of Meridian is planning to complete a half mile section of the trail in
2018 or 2019.
-Managing the urban forest ideally on an infinite time frame it is important to
provide the policy and management framework for cities to effectively manage
the current and future state of the UF.

Networks
Space
-GAP analysis in a GIS can identify gaps in the trail network. This
can be used to prioritize network connections.
-According to the 2013 TV UTC Report, the Treasure Valley has
approximately 40% of land classified as available planting space
to increase the UTC.
-One of the most innovative strategies for trail development is
from Singapore National Parks in using under-utilized and
‘non-economic’ land (Tan 2006).
-City of Meridian Rail Trail segment is planned on the ROW of
the Nampa Meridian Irrigation District. It is possible there may be restrictions on planting in the irrigation district ROW.
-Singapore and Houston are just two examples of cities that use and plant trees along these ROW’s.

Networks
Landscape
-Landscape level analysis should be performed
to determine and prioritize best trail candidates
for connections along with appropriate and
preferred tree species for planting sites.
-Plan appropriate tree species for the site
conditions i.e. ‘the right tree in the right place.’
-Another challenge to consider is the need for
irrigation of newly planted trees along the rail
trail. Interdepartmental planning and
cooperation will become necessary.

4. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: Treasure Valley, ID Rail with Trail
Treasure Valley, ID Rail with Trail
-Class III is the largest category of urban tree for the
City Boise.
-Requires 40-60 foot spacing on center
-Recommended to planted at least 10 feet away from
the edge of hard surfaces
-Railroad ROW is 12 feet
1 mile = 5280 feet x 28 miles = 147, 840 feet / 60 feet spacing
= 2,464 trees for an ideal fully planted Rail with Trail.
-Treasure Valley has approx 2.4 million existing trees so adding 2, 464 trees is an increase of 0.1026% to the UTC.
-With all the planning and coordination required to plant 2,464 trees and only raise the UTC by a tenth of a percentage
point should put into perspective the importance of proper planning and maintenance of the existing urban forest.

Regional Network Trails and Tree Planting
-Atlanta Beltline has planted 2,800 throughout a
22 mile trail system
-The TV rail with trail is proposing a minimum of
2,464 trees throughout the 28 mile trail.
-No UTC or tree inventory data was available from
Singapore Parks in association with the PCN
-This a real life example for the need of a
multidisciplinary approach to managing the urban
forest.
-With tree inventory data associated with the PCN can we assume that some departments weren’t coordinating
with each other?

Solution to possible infrastructure conflicts on the Rail with Trail
-Along the TV Rail with Trail there could be
infrastructure conflicts or even lack of
infrastructure such as water for newly planted
trees.
-Rest stops among other amenity factors such as
signage, restrooms and water are key factors
directly influencing visitor experiences on rail
trails (Taylor 2015).
-Planting groves of trees around rest stops and
trail heads could be meet or exceed the
projected plantings with the rail trail and
increase the popularity and use of the trail
(better user experience).

Linking Public Health outcomes to the Urban Forest
-In 1999 Wyoming Valley Wellness Trails Partnership in Pennsylvania was developed to
connect local trail organizations and the healthcare community.
-Focus group finding in 2004 found “community members more motivated to participate in
outdoor physical activity by messages about fun, adventure, and socializing with friends and
family than messages about health benefits, regardless of age, gender, or place of
residence”(Schasberger et al 2009).
-“Placemaking” workshops were conducted and cross promotion of local parks and trails
between similar groups increased public appeal of the projects.
-People were motivated more by the experiences they anticipated having than the actual
benefits they could reap.

4. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: Linking Public Health Funding to UF Budgets
Funding Trees for Health Report 2015
-Many cities can be seen as lacking the opportunity to be a part of a “centralized or coordinated planning
structure with other relevant agencies” (Nature Conservancy 2015).
-Missed opportunities for combining efficiencies and resources to magnify the results of tree planting
efforts, defined as Silos to cooperation.
-Since planting trees provides health benefits, then shouldn’t Health agencies be involved in the planning
and funding of urban forestry activities?
-A recent study of 27 U.S. cities found that avoidable health costs related to urban tree planting could
account for almost 12.5% of the annual cost of tree planting and maintenance in these cities (Nature
Conservancy 2015).
-St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise should be approached for collaboration with urban tree planting goals. Since
they already collaborate with Boise Green Bike and Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) they may be open
to exploring the health benefits of increasing regional trails alongside the urban forest.

5. DISCUSSION:
-The trail network throughout the Treasure Valley
is fragmented
-Just as GI networks require hubs/corridors for
optimal ecological health, the same could be said
for an urban trail network requiring connection for
better health of the human residents.
-The proximity of people to trails determines the use
of the trails.
-As the regional trail network grows in mileage and
popularity so will the public health benefits as more
and more people use them.
-St. Luke’s and other public health officials can be shown the collective impact that urban trees in
conjunction with regional trails could provide for public health.

5. DISCUSSION: Successful Strategy examples
Atlanta Beltline
-The Atlanta Beltline is self described as “inherently sustainable”, the
22 mile loop having originated from an existing rail corridor.
-Kaiser Permanente of Georgia (KPGA) recently invested $500,000 in
organizations “developing and implementing unique, health-related
programming in communities along the Atlanta BeltLine Westside
Trail corridor” (Atlanta Beltline Partnership 2016).
-Again, St. Luke’s in Boise and even other local businesses could make
similar investments in organizations that create health related
programs relating to regional trail networks and the urban forest
throughout the Treasure Valley.

5. DISCUSSION: Successful Strategy examples
Singapore
-Extremely successful example of using
under-utilized and low value land next to
drainage and irrigation ROW.
-“Parks and open spaces should be planned
as part of a network system so as to
optimize the use of limited land
resources” (Tan 2006).
-The connections linking parks and
greenspaces increase public access to
parkland.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS
-Successful projects employ collaboration and inclusion with multiple agencies, groups and the public.
-Community organizations are an important link to local community and could be leveraged to complete trail segments
and help neighboring communities organize coalitions to continue and grow the trail network.
-Energize our Neighborhoods (EON) is a collaboration
to keep Boise neighborhoods unique and desirable.
-Aligns community resources to improve livability and
make measurable change (City of Boise 2018).
-By partnering with a Regional Trails working group,
EON could share local expertise and gain local
support towards regional goals.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS: Who is Leading the effort?
-No single organization seems to be leading the effort for Treasure Valley Rail with Trail.
-Regional organizations such as, Treasure Valley Canopy Network, COMPASS, St. Luke’s and Rails to Trails
Conservancy could create a regional collaboration such as the previously discussed Wyoming Valley
Wellness Trails Partnership.
-A regional collaboration such as this could accomplish individual organizational goals while contributing
their individual strengths and resources to make an incredible regional impact.
-What could these individual goals look like for each organization?
-Is it time for a paradigm shift in planning? Incorporating more departments (breaking down silos)
especially the urban forestry departments and input from the public on how they use parks and trails and
what would make them use the trails more would help to maximize the benefits of these.

7. CONCLUSION:
-Famous business author Jim Collins coined the term Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG) in the 1990’s. A
BHAG is goal that it so large, “so clear and compelling and serves as a unifying focal point effort--often
creating immense team spirit.….A BHAG engages people--it reaches out and grabs them in the gut. It is
tangible, energizing, highly focused. People “get it” right away; it takes little or no explanation” (Collins
2018).
-This is how Regional Trail Networks and UF growth should be seen. A large daunting goal, yes but if we
can present the value and experiences to be had by the end users people should “get it” right away.
-The fact is, Atlanta, Singapore and many other cities do “get it” and have been building regional trail
networks and increasing their urban forests to delight and approval of their residents.
-By following these successful examples, the Treasure Valley could make solid, sustainable progress in
providing the infrastructure for a healthy urban forest and regional trail network supporting an active and
healthy public.

8a. REFERENCES:
Taylor, Paul. (2015). What factors make rail trails successful as tourism attractions? Developing a conceptual framework from relevant literature. Journal of Outdoor
Recreation and Tourism, Volume 12, 89-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2015.11.005.
Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment. (2013). Retrieved 15 October 2017 from https://parks.cityofboise.org/BoardAgendas/Board2013/130919-ExhibitC-
TreasureValleyTreeCanopyAssessmentResults.pdf
Reis, A.C., & Jellum, C. (2012). Rail trails development: a conceptual model for sustainable tourism. Tourism Planning and Development, 9(2), 133-148. Retrieved 10
January 2018 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254369381_Rail_Trail_Development_A_Conceptual_Model_for_Sustainable_Tourism
Rails to Trails Conservancy. Trail-Building Basics. Retrieved 13 January 2018 from https://www.railstotrails.org/build-trails/trail-building-basics/
Benedict, Mark A., & McMahon, Edward T. (2006). Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Berland, Adam, & Shiflett, Sheri, A., Shuster, William, D., & Garmestani, Ahjond, S., & Goddard, Haynes, C., & Herrmann, Dustin, L., et al. (2017). The role of trees in urban
stormwater management. Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 162, 167-177. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204617300464
City of Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development Arborist Division. (2014). http://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=14722
Georgia Forestry Commission. (2001). http://www.gatrees.org/resources/publications/GeorgiaModelUrbanForestBook.pdf
Atlanta Beltline Project. (2018). Retrieved from https://beltline.org/about/the-atlanta-beltline-project/
Adaptation Clearinghouse. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/case-study-of-the-atlanta-beltline-adaptation-aspects.html
Trees Atlanta. (2016). Retrieved from https://treesatlanta.org/wp-content/files_mf/strategicplan_websiteversion.pdf
Palardy, Nathan P., & Boley, Bynum B., & Gaither, Cassandra Johnson. (2018). Residents and urban greenways: Modeling support for the Atlanta Beltline. Landscape and
Urban Planning, Volume 169, 250-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.09.006
Tan, Kiat W. (2006). A Greenway network for singapore. Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 76, 45-66. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204604001331

8b. REFERENCES Cont’d:
Singapore National Parks Board. (2018) Park Connector Network. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/park-connector-network
ESRI, ArcNews Online. (Spring 2009). Singapore Manages Urban Forests Using GIS. Retrieved from http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/spring09articles/singapore-
manages.html
Ridge to Rivers. (2018). Available from https://www.ridgetorivers.org/
Hewett, Phillip. (2007). Whats marketing branding got to do with the Urban Forest. Available from https://www.treenet.org/resources/whats-marketing-branding-got-to-
do-with-urban-forest/
McDonald, Rob, & Aljabar, Lida, & Aubuchon, Craig, & Birnbaum, Howard, G., & Chandler, Chris, & Toorney, Bill, et al. (September 2017). Funding Trees for Health. The
Nature Conservancy. Available from https://global.nature.org/content/reports?intc=glob_sol.topnav.reports
Akpinar, Abdullah. (2016) Factors influencing the use of urban greenways:A case study of Aydın, Turkey. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 16, 123–131.
Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S161886671600025X
City of Boise. LIV. (2018) https://www.livboise.org/
Wolch, Jennifer R., & Byrne, Jason, & Newell, Joshua P. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities ‘just green
enough’. Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 125, 234–244.
Fok, Kelvin Wai Kit, & Yi, Winnie Wai. (2018). City re-imagined: Multi-stakeholder study on branding Hong Kong as a city of greenery. Journal of Environmental
Management. 206, 1039-1051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.045
Clark, James., & Matheny, Nelda, P., & Cross, Genni, & Wake, Victoria. (1997 January). A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability. Journal of Arboriculture. 23 (1). Retrieved
from http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/rp_urban_ecasustainability_model_clark.pdf
Berg, S. (2017, January 14). A bike path paralleling railroad tracks could one day link Nampa, Meridian and Boise. Idaho Statesman. Retrieved from:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article126693569.html

8c. REFERENCES Cont’d:
Schasberger, Michele G., MA, & Hussa, Carol S., BA, & Polgar, Michael F., PhD, & McMonagle, & Julie A, MS., & Burke, Sharon J., et al. (December 2009). Promoting and
Developing a Trail Network Across Suburban, Rural, and Urban Communities. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Volume 37, Number 6S2.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2009.09.012
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership. Accessed January 23, 2018 from: http://www.susquehannagreenway.org/planning
Atlanta Beltline Partners. (2016). Partners Report. Retrieved from https://beltlineorg-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABP-partners-Report-
2016.pdf
Collins, Jim. BHAG. Web. 23 January 2018 http://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/bhag.html
National Parks Singapore. Annual report 2016-2017. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/about-us/annual-report/nparks-2016-2017-
annual-report-highres.pdf
Leahy, Ian. (2017, January 12). Why We No Longer Recommend a 40 Percent Urban Tree Canopy Goal. Retrieved from http://www.americanforests.org/blog/no-longer-
recommend-40-percent-urban-tree-canopy-goal/
Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. (2017, November 28). Products, Services, and Data. Available from
http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/CIM2040_2.0/bikeped.html
Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. (2015). Products, Services, and Data. Available from http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/mapgis-maps.htm
Jorgenson, Brian. City of Boise. City Forester. (2017). Via email.
Wakan, Duanne. Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. (2017). Via email.
Schwartz, Tabatha. Trees Atlanta. (2018). Via email.
Ng Sheng Kai, Ivan. Singapore National Parks Board Parks Officer. (2018). Via email.
Forbes. 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5894edfa31358e590cda1ed2/11-boise-city-id/#3600e79e2118

Presentation: Increasing Urban Forest Sustainability Treasure Valley, Idaho

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Presentation: Increasing Urban Forest Sustainability Treasure Valley, Idaho

Recently uploaded

Presentation: Increasing Urban Forest Sustainability Treasure Valley, Idaho