Here’s the plan,
The City of San Jose wants to help the community lower utility costs, create vibrant and diverse outdoor spaces, clean the air we breathe, and save the water we cherish.
And we can accomplish all of this with the help of our trees!
The main goal of the San Jose Community Forest Management Plan is to make sure every resident in the City lives in a neighborhood that is healthy and safe. • Achieving this, in part, depends on the City’s trees and their ability to help create and maintain a resilient City that will continue to thrive with new and changing environmental conditions and challenges.
The comment period for the 95% draft of the Community Forest Management Plan now open. Please use the button below to download a copy, and email your comments to Ryan Allen (rallen@dudek.com) by September 13th, 2021.
95% COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFTProject Timeline
Why Trees?
The value of trees is experienced every day in many different ways. Some experiences are physical and immediate like the relief of being in the cool shade of a large tree on a hot day. Others are less tangible but still present, like the positive impacts on our mental health. We experience the benefits of trees everyday whether we can identify them or not.
Trees act like a sponge, soaking up the air pollution that hangs out around street level. This helps create a healthier environment for citizens to enjoy a stroll through the neighborhood, or exercising at the local park. Trees do this by catching pollution on their leaves, and as they carry out their natural functions.
This means, every year in San Jose…
of greenhouse gases Removed from the air
OF GREENHOUSE GASES Stored in Their Wood
worth of AIR pollution
removed From the air
Money can grow on trees.
One benefit we receive from the shade of a tree is savings on our energy bills. Strategically placed shade trees can help save up to 56% on annual air-conditioning costs. For the City of San Jose, this equates to an annual savings of $77 million. We can further reduce our annual energy costs by planting and maintaining shade trees in our yards and neighborhoods.
Plant some trees around the home below, and start seeing the green!
You’ll notice that the heat waves coming off of the house disappear as you plant trees on the south, east, and west sides of the property. For every tree you plant, the smog fades a little and the property values rise. Trees planted along the street will help to slow the traffic. Try it out for yourself!
The most important part of a healthy urban forest is your involvement!
The intent of the San Jose Community Forest Management Plan is to reflect the priorities and values of the citizens, residents, and business owners…and most importantly, ensure that people have vibrant connections to trees. We want to hear your ideas on how we can grow our urban forest, and learn more about the challenges you face in your neighborhood.