Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan Adoption | June 23, 2026 ATTACHMENT 2
Summary of Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan Updates
Implementation and Accountability
• Added a designated staff lead to oversee the cross-departmental Implementation Team and coordinate plan execution, monitoring, and reporting efforts across departments. • Expanded annual reporting beyond the Parks and Recreation Commission to include City Council and the public, with additional community-facing updates and engagement opportunities. • Strengthened adaptive management language so implementation can remain flexible and responsive to funding opportunities, scientific knowledge, community priorities, and lessons learned over time.
Integration into City Projects, Policies, and Funding
• Clarified that the Plan is intended to serve as a foundational City policy document that helps guide City decision-making, capital project delivery, and budget development across departments. • Added language supporting the integration of Plan concepts, guidelines, and associated Guides into future objective standards, roadway design approaches, green infrastructure strategies, and other implementation tools.
• Recognized opportunities to incorporate greening, urban forest, and green infrastructure improvements into future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and broader infrastructure investments.
Native Planting, Urban Forest Resilience, and Habitat Protection • Expanded language related to native and regionally appropriate planting, including refinement of the definition of “near-native” species to provide greater clarity regarding ecological compatibility and regional applicability, as well as climate resilience, biodiversity-supportive landscaping, habitat protection, long-term urban forest resilience, and sustainable native plant sourcing practices.
• Added language supporting the protection and retention of existing mature trees, habitat features, and ecological resources where feasible, alongside expansion and enhancement efforts. • Clarified that implementation should balance native planting goals with site conditions, biodiversity objectives, climate resilience, maintenance considerations, and long-term species diversity.
Partnerships, Stewardship, and Community Science
• Added language supporting volunteer coordination, stewardship opportunities, partnerships, and community-based implementation efforts as part of adaptive management and long-term implementation.
• Included language recognizing opportunities to use community science data and partnerships to support biodiversity monitoring and public engagement where appropriate. • Incorporated feedback received from community partners and stakeholder organizations, including GreenSpacesMV, Mountain View Coalition for Sustainable Planning, Bird Alliance, and other community members.