RiversideCA.gov
1 URBAN FOREST, WATER AND CLIMATE PROJECT
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
RiversideCA.gov
2 Q1: How long have you resided in Riverside?
0-5 years 5-10 years 10-15 years 15+
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Responses
Answer Choices Responses
0-5 years 19.48% 45
5-10 years 12.12% 28
10-15 years 4.76% 11
15+ 63.64% 147
Answered 231
Skipped 1
RiversideCA.gov
3 Q2: What Ward do you live in?
Answer Choices Responses
Ward 1 21.83% 50
Ward 2 9.17% 21
Ward 3 15.72% 36
Ward 4 7.86% 18
Ward 5 6.11% 14
Ward 6 2.62% 6
Ward 7 1.31% 3
Not sure 35.37% 81
Answered 229
Skipped 3 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Not sure
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
Responses
RiversideCA.gov
4 Q3: Did you attend the City Urban Forest, Water and
Climate workshop on January 26, 2022?
Yes No
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Responses
RiversideCA.gov
5 Q4: What is your biggest concern regarding water?
Water quality Rates Reliability Drought and
water use
restrictions
Other I have no
concerns about
RPU's water
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
Responses
RiversideCA.gov
6 Q5: How did the most recent drought impact you on
scale of 1 to 5, with 1 = Not at all and 5 = A lot?
Scale Responses
Not at all
*Scale measured at 0-20 = 1 38.07% 83
Very little
*Scale measured at 21-40 = 2 16.06% 35
Somewhat
*Scale measured at 41-60 = 3 22.48% 49
Moderately
*Scale measured at 61-80 = 4 11.01% 24
A lot
*Scale measured at 81-100 = 5 12.39% 27
Answered 218
Skipped 14
RiversideCA.gov
7 Q6: How did you prioritize your outdoor water use
during the past drought's mandatory cutbacks?
Watered
landscape, but only
on allowed days
Watered only trees Stopped watering
entirely
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Responses
Answer Choices Responses
Watered landscape, but only
on allowed days 66.36% 144
Watered only trees 15.21% 33
Stopped watering entirely 18.43% 40
Answered 217
Skipped 15
RiversideCA.gov
8 Q7: With its limited water sources, how would you like the City to prioritize water use on City-managed
properties??
Keep properties looking green Water only trees Minimize water on turf Maximize use of non-potable sources (ex. stormwater,
graywater, recycled water)
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20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
Responses
RiversideCA.gov
9 Q8: Please select the three (3) most important benefits of trees.
Answer Choices Responses
Improving air quality by absorbing pollution and producing oxygen 81.69% 174 Reducing climate impact by storing carbon 39.91% 85
Aesthetics (appearance) 17.84% 38
Reducing noise 6.57% 14
Improving the community and property values 16.43% 35
Providing wildlife habitat 46.95% 100
Reducing energy use and lowering electric bills 26.76% 57 Improving water quality by reducing erosion and runoff 18.31% 39 Providing shade 38.97% 83
Improving human health 21.13% 45
Trees do not provide any benefits 0.47% 1
Answered 213
Skipped 19
RiversideCA.gov
10 Q9: Trees are considered green infrastructure. How
important are trees compared to other infrastructure
in the City (such as sidewalks, streets, sewer, water
lines, electrical service, streetlights, etc.)?
Answer Choices Responses
More Important 22.54% 48
Equally Important 60.09% 128
Almost as Important 13.15% 28
Not as important 4.23% 9
Answered 213
Skipped 19
RiversideCA.gov
11 Q10: Please select the three (3) most significant
threats facing trees in your neighborhood or in the
City.
Answer Choices Responses
Drought 56.13% 119
Insect pests and disease 36.79% 78
Development/land use change (e.g., injury or
removal during development) 43.87% 93
Lack of care and/or investment in the urban
forest 63.68% 135
Harsh urban growing environment 18.87% 40
Incorrect pruning practices 27.83% 59
Vandalism 4.72% 10
Lack of planting 25.47% 54
Trees do not face any threats 3.30% 7
Other (please specify) 8.49% 18
Answered 212
Skipped 20
RiversideCA.gov
12 Q10: (Continued)
Other (please specify)
Block beautiful views and strategic planting techniques weren’t practiced The wrong types of trees being planted in developments that end up destroying property and water lines and having to be removed
Not based as food source
infrequent and improper pruning of City trees
More trees need to be plated in newly developed commercial areas (warehouses) Older tress lifting sidewalks, damaging driveways
Few California Native trees
concrete jungles/warehouses/building on rural land
Lack of resources to care for trees that are not owned by the city. high winds
Wind damage, which has recently taken down multiple trees and caused property damage 50 ft city pine tree, worry it will blow down on mine or neighbors house The city does not maintain their trees. Need to trim all annually.
Root rot/fungus on very old trees
Gophers
Residents don’t plant enough trees!
Non-native trees aren't adapted to our rainfall.
being removed because of damage to hardscape
RiversideCA.gov
13 Q11: Please select the three (3) most significant
problems caused by trees in your neighborhood.
Answer Choices Responses
Sidewalk cracking and displacement 46.48% 99
Obstructing traffic, sidewalks, signs, or street-lights 14.55% 31 Tree and limb failures 26.76% 57
Tree roots and underground pipe problems or with
power lines 29.58% 63
Blocked views 5.16% 11
Water requirements 10.33% 22
Litter, leaves, and fruits – clean up 33.80% 72
Pollen allergies 7.98% 17
Cost to maintain and/or remove 15.02% 32
Trees do not cause any problems 32.86% 70
Other (please specify) 6.57% 14
Answered 213
Skipped 19
RiversideCA.gov
14 Q11: (Continued)
Other (please specify)
None
Too infrequent sweet sweeping of debris from City trees even though we are still paying for a 2 X/month service through our property taxes
Windy day a heavy branch of leaves fell down and hit car I was a passenger in I love trees
Curb and gutter(and street) cracking and displacement
too many pine trees. They are too large for urban environments Acorn trees leave a huge mess on our sidewalks & streets. Being more mindful of what kind of trees that the city plants is important.
need City's help in regularly trimming palm fronds
palm fronds cause damage and the city does not do as good a job pruning and maintaining them as they did in the past
Lack of city maintenance. Incorrect maintenance. Not replacing after removal.
If people plant trees in the wrong spots, there can be trouble. But trees don’t cause the problem.
The city doesn’t maintain their trees
City trimming every 5 years is unacceptable. Needs to be every year.
Uproot fencing/homes
RiversideCA.gov
15 Q12: Please identify how much you think climate
change threatens your personal health, safety and
quality of life?
Very likely Somewhat likely Neutral / May or
may not
Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely
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Responses
RiversideCA.gov
16 Q13: Please identify the top 3 activities you are taking or are interested in taking to reduce your climate
impact?
Answer Choices Responses
Walk or cycle instead of driving 27.09% 55
Use less electricity, water, and natural gas 63.55% 129 Use zero emissions vehicles 27.09% 55
Buy organic food 25.62% 52
Reduce and recycle waste, including food and green
waste 70.44% 143
Participate in environmental campaigns 16.26% 33
Plant more trees 46.80% 95
I don’t need to reduce my climate impact 9.36% 19
Other (please specify) 7.88% 16
Answered 203
Skipped 29
RiversideCA.gov
17 Q13: (Continued)
Other (please specify)
I’d love to do all of the above but it isn’t realistic.
Solar
I have done my part by installing dual pane windows, energy efficient appliances, led lights, double insulation, recycling, planting trees, grass, shutters, underground overhead wires. City of Riverside needs to encourage and reward residents for doing this!
Removed my lawns
allow back yard mulching and stop code enforcement from giving fines for it Planting CA native plants and trees
Buy locally produced food
I am a disabled senior citizen. I can barely afford groceries, let alone organic. I need my utilities for medical purposes, but can barely afford the $800/ mo summer utilities.
Purchase solar panels and reduce water use in our landscape Trust and know God is in control of it all. We have responsibilities but He is in control.
Installed solar panels.
Let nature heal itself
Grow my own food/buy locally grown food
Compost
climate impact is a scam, batteries will cause more issues down the road Remove lawns and add native plants
RiversideCA.gov
18 Q14: Considering your knowledge about the risks associated with climate change, how likely are you to recommend a
friend or neighbor to promote activities that will help reduce global warming or to live a clean and green life?
Very likely Somewhat likely Neutral / May or
may not
Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely
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Responses
RiversideCA.gov
19 Q15: Please rank the following actions that the City can take to address climate change from Most important (1) to Least important (6)
Support urban forests,
open space and
agriculture
Ensure Riverside’s
electricity is carbon-
neutral
Support electric
vehicle charging and
other zero-carbon
fueling (e.g.,
hydrogen)
Make it easier to
walk, bike or take
transit instead of using
a car
Require all-electric
new buildings
Prepare and
implement a climate
action plan
0 0.5
1 1.5
2 2.5
3 3.5
4 4.5
5 Score
RiversideCA.gov
20 Q16: What are the top three (3) actions the City can take to support the City’s Urban Forest, recognizing that many of these may require more funding?
Answer Choices Responses
Develop a City heritage tree program 23.12% 46
Allow residents to plant and care for trees in the public right-of-way 21.61% 43 Provide sufficient City urban forest management staff and budget 43.72% 87 Enhance the standard of care and monitoring for City trees 42.21% 84 Provide more tree care and watering education and outreach 30.15% 60 Provide incentives to encourage tree planting 46.23% 92 Support water for trees during drought 33.17% 66
New fees, fines, or taxes to fund tree management 8.04% 16 Develop and implement a Citywide Urban Forestry Management Plan 40.70% 81 The City does not need to do anything else for the urban forest and trees 5.53% 11
Other (please specify) 6.53% 13
Answered 199
Skipped 33
RiversideCA.gov
21 Q16: (Continued)
Other (please specify)
Allow rain water collection. Harvest Wind power from our hill tops(stretch goals) Allow for more than (3) actions to be selected on this survey.
Encourage tree planting in schools, create an elective on this in high school, plant trees at schools because they have NO shade at recess.
Underground wires to avoid fires!!!!
do more to incentivize citizens to remove turf, plant drought tolerant trees and plants Focus on planting CA native species as well as CA native trees stop building on rural land. aka Sycamore. C'mon bro
Stop building warehouses
Stop tearing down groves to build!
More green space and less construction/development or building more houses or buildings Trees especially palm trees should be trimmed every year. the homeless are causing more environmental issues...start there.
Expand the scope to lawn removal and encouraging native plants