Agenda Date: 01/20/2026
Subject:
Title
2026 Update on Urban Forestry Management Plan and the City of Littleton Tree Manual
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Public Works Director |
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Mary Danser, City Forester |
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Diana Kamenel Trettin, Manager of Grounds, Open Space and Natural Resources |
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Presentations: |
Brent Soderlin, Public Works Director |
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Mary Danser, City Forester |
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Diana Kamenel Trettin, Manager of Grounds, Open Space and Natural Resources |
PURPOSE:
To present the 2026 update on the City’s Urban Forestry Management Plan and Tree Manual.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
It is crucial that staff have a strategic plan if the city wants to protect and grow its urban canopy. The urban environment is harsh on tree health and there are a lot of upcoming challenges that the city will have to navigate to, at minimum, preserve the existing canopy that the city has and increase that canopy as directed by Council in 2023. By collecting the data and understanding where things are now compared to where they have been, staff know that the existing canopy is in decline. By using this data to prepare a long-term action plan, staff can set the city up for success for not only preserving what exists but growing it. Some of the benefits of trees in the urban environment include reducing pollution and heat island effect, increasing property value, managing stormwater and improving health among residents through cleaner air.
BACKGROUND:
Littleton’s Grounds, Open Space and Natural Resources Division has spent the last five years gathering data on Littleton’s urban forest, rebuilding the division to include forestry staff and creating a supporting Urban Forestry Management Plan to lay the foundation in advancing canopy goals for the City of Littleton. In late 2021, the division hired a City Forester to start laying the framework for a management plan. Since then, an internal inventory and risk assessment was completed to understand the City’s assets. A larger canopy study for the entire city was completed in March 2023. Both served as guiding documents in developing long term goals for the City and associated work plans. The City’s Urban Forestry Management Plan was approved by Council in 2023. The City has now prepared a Tree Manual to provide best management practices (BMPs) for implementing the Management Plan and increased tree canopy goals.
Prior Actions or Discussions
The City’s Urban Forestry Management Plan was approved by Council in 2023.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The current implementation of our planning documents presents challenges in effectively maintaining and enhancing our urban canopy. To achieve our goals of growing and preserving this vital resource, it is essential that we focus on more proactive strategies. With a dedicated effort toward implementing these plans, we can create a healthier and more vibrant urban environment for our community.
ALTERNATIVES:
The development and acceptance of the Tree Manual will help the city, and its businesses and residents understand that Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be utilized by the city to help increase our canopy and minimize canopy loss. If the city does not implement the plans as developed and approved by Council, the result will be a decrease in tree canopy and potentially increasing pollution and heat island effect and decreasing property value. The expanded use of pervious pavement and minimizing the use of impervious pavement will also help the tree canopy by allowing for the infiltration of the limited precipitation we get in Colorado and decreasing water loss due to evapotranspiration.
Proposed Motion