Urban Forest Plan

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Gravel trail through a forest with sun shining through the trees

Summary of Phase 3 engagement

We have worked with our consultants to summarize the valuable community input we received during the structured Phase 3 engagement period from April 15 to May 15 into a Phase 3 Engagement Summary Report. All the individual comments we received during this period are included in the Engagement Summary Appendices. The Engagement Summary Report was presented to City Council on Monday, June 17 during the Committee of the Whole. The project team will consider all comments, along with input from Council and staff, when finalizing the Plan.

Find more information about the development of our Urban Forest Plan on the City website.

Draft Urban Forest Plan

Our draft Urban Forest Plan is available for review. This draft includes all the feedback our community shared with us through Phase 2 of the plan development. Your input will help us finalize Bellingham's first-ever Urban Forest Plan, which will guide how our community protects and enhances the trees and forests that make up Bellingham’s urban forest. An urban forest includes everything from street trees, parks and forested open spaces to trees on private property.

  • Translation or interpretation available upon request and with advance notice. Please email ufmp@cob.org.
  • Traducción o interpretación disponible bajo petición y con previo aviso. Envíe un correo electrónico a ufmp@cob.org.
  • Письменный или устный перевод предоставляется по запросу и с предварительным уведомлением. Пожалуйста, напишите ufmp@cob.org.
  • ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਜਾਂ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਬੇਨਤੀ 'ਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਅਗਾਊਂ ਨੋਟਿਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ufmp@cob.org ਈਮੇਲ ਕਰੋ।
  • Bản dịch hoặc phiên dịch có sẵn theo yêu cầu và có thông báo trước. Vui lòng gửi email cho ufmp@cob.org.

How to provide your feedback

Share Comments (ongoing)

Comments can still be submitted for consideration by adding them to the Questions and Comments tab below or via email at ufmp@cob.org.

Timeline

The Plan has been developed in three phases:



Photo of forest by Kyle Szegedi.

Summary of Phase 3 engagement

We have worked with our consultants to summarize the valuable community input we received during the structured Phase 3 engagement period from April 15 to May 15 into a Phase 3 Engagement Summary Report. All the individual comments we received during this period are included in the Engagement Summary Appendices. The Engagement Summary Report was presented to City Council on Monday, June 17 during the Committee of the Whole. The project team will consider all comments, along with input from Council and staff, when finalizing the Plan.

Find more information about the development of our Urban Forest Plan on the City website.

Draft Urban Forest Plan

Our draft Urban Forest Plan is available for review. This draft includes all the feedback our community shared with us through Phase 2 of the plan development. Your input will help us finalize Bellingham's first-ever Urban Forest Plan, which will guide how our community protects and enhances the trees and forests that make up Bellingham’s urban forest. An urban forest includes everything from street trees, parks and forested open spaces to trees on private property.

  • Translation or interpretation available upon request and with advance notice. Please email ufmp@cob.org.
  • Traducción o interpretación disponible bajo petición y con previo aviso. Envíe un correo electrónico a ufmp@cob.org.
  • Письменный или устный перевод предоставляется по запросу и с предварительным уведомлением. Пожалуйста, напишите ufmp@cob.org.
  • ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਜਾਂ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਬੇਨਤੀ 'ਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਅਗਾਊਂ ਨੋਟਿਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ufmp@cob.org ਈਮੇਲ ਕਰੋ।
  • Bản dịch hoặc phiên dịch có sẵn theo yêu cầu và có thông báo trước. Vui lòng gửi email cho ufmp@cob.org.

How to provide your feedback

Share Comments (ongoing)

Comments can still be submitted for consideration by adding them to the Questions and Comments tab below or via email at ufmp@cob.org.

Timeline

The Plan has been developed in three phases:



Photo of forest by Kyle Szegedi.

Enter questions here about the process or timeline.

Please provide feedback about the plan in the survey. If you have additional feedback beyond what was covered in the survey, please share it as a comment in this section. You can also use this section to ask questions about the process or timeline. Someone will respond to your question as soon as we are able to. 

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  • Share I strongly oppose the Urban Forest Plan. I am concerned that this is going to make development and building housing more difficult and unaffordable. on Facebook Share I strongly oppose the Urban Forest Plan. I am concerned that this is going to make development and building housing more difficult and unaffordable. on Twitter Share I strongly oppose the Urban Forest Plan. I am concerned that this is going to make development and building housing more difficult and unaffordable. on Linkedin Email I strongly oppose the Urban Forest Plan. I am concerned that this is going to make development and building housing more difficult and unaffordable. link

    I strongly oppose the Urban Forest Plan. I am concerned that this is going to make development and building housing more difficult and unaffordable.

    LRK asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan.

  • Share Here are a few random comments that may be addressed in the plan but it's a bit of a complicated read for me. Trees are important for carbon storage but they are also habitat as are large shrubs. Developments also create habitat loss. Is the creation of habitat addressed in another city plan? Is there a plan for 'over mature trees' that could be cut for habitat stumps? Trees and shrubs are also buffers for noise and provide privacy. Are there planting guidelines that suggest planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings and coniferous trees to the north? Does the idea of using 'best practice forestry' evolve over the 15-25 year life span of this plan. How would this new plan have protected the mature trees that will be lost to the Meridian development? on Facebook Share Here are a few random comments that may be addressed in the plan but it's a bit of a complicated read for me. Trees are important for carbon storage but they are also habitat as are large shrubs. Developments also create habitat loss. Is the creation of habitat addressed in another city plan? Is there a plan for 'over mature trees' that could be cut for habitat stumps? Trees and shrubs are also buffers for noise and provide privacy. Are there planting guidelines that suggest planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings and coniferous trees to the north? Does the idea of using 'best practice forestry' evolve over the 15-25 year life span of this plan. How would this new plan have protected the mature trees that will be lost to the Meridian development? on Twitter Share Here are a few random comments that may be addressed in the plan but it's a bit of a complicated read for me. Trees are important for carbon storage but they are also habitat as are large shrubs. Developments also create habitat loss. Is the creation of habitat addressed in another city plan? Is there a plan for 'over mature trees' that could be cut for habitat stumps? Trees and shrubs are also buffers for noise and provide privacy. Are there planting guidelines that suggest planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings and coniferous trees to the north? Does the idea of using 'best practice forestry' evolve over the 15-25 year life span of this plan. How would this new plan have protected the mature trees that will be lost to the Meridian development? on Linkedin Email Here are a few random comments that may be addressed in the plan but it's a bit of a complicated read for me. Trees are important for carbon storage but they are also habitat as are large shrubs. Developments also create habitat loss. Is the creation of habitat addressed in another city plan? Is there a plan for 'over mature trees' that could be cut for habitat stumps? Trees and shrubs are also buffers for noise and provide privacy. Are there planting guidelines that suggest planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings and coniferous trees to the north? Does the idea of using 'best practice forestry' evolve over the 15-25 year life span of this plan. How would this new plan have protected the mature trees that will be lost to the Meridian development? link

    Here are a few random comments that may be addressed in the plan but it's a bit of a complicated read for me. Trees are important for carbon storage but they are also habitat as are large shrubs. Developments also create habitat loss. Is the creation of habitat addressed in another city plan? Is there a plan for 'over mature trees' that could be cut for habitat stumps? Trees and shrubs are also buffers for noise and provide privacy. Are there planting guidelines that suggest planting deciduous trees on the south side of buildings and coniferous trees to the north? Does the idea of using 'best practice forestry' evolve over the 15-25 year life span of this plan. How would this new plan have protected the mature trees that will be lost to the Meridian development?

    KDD asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan.

  • Share * Education of the public about tree property value can improve voluntary pro-forest behavior. Renters like trees, as do home buyers. Renters will pay higher rent and property buyers pay higher prices. Of course this is somewhat at odds with housing affordability goals... * Invasive tree threat: horse chestnut trees are on a rapid track to dominate the forest on Chuckanut Creek under the 12th Ave bridge, and spread beyond. * The public could benefit from education about social trails. In the past I often went off-trail in places like the 100 acre wood, seeking a feeling of wilderness escape. Now I know better, but I see how legions of others have done the same thing, and the area is overrun with social trails. The psychology of that process could be shortcut with some public education. * Many street trees suck. I see a trend of increasing dwarf character in new street trees. Small, slow growing trees provide little urban forest value. * People will work for their own self interest. I think that would include forestry work close to home such as planting and tree maintenance. The city could facilitate hyper-local neighborhood involvement (volunteerism) and ownership of common forest resources. * I really don't see why Native Americans are called out specifically in this plan. There are myriad interest groups and I don't see that Native Americans are really much more special than all those other groups. * Action item 18. Tree Incentive Program: Expensive $$$$$. Trees are often perceived as only a hassle, due to the required maintenance. I doubt that incentives alone will change much. Owners will plant trees themselves if educated about the economic value of trees. Education is more powerful and less expensive than money incentives. * Action item 30. Urban Forestry department?? $$$$$ This is creating a king with no kingdom. A beaurocratic nothingness. * Action item 46. $$$$$ Water newly planted trees for 3 years. With correct tree selection and planting, only one summer of watering is needed. * Action item 47. $$$$ Mulch trees in parks or large boulevards. If a tree needs mulch to survive, it is not appropriate for that site: don't waste resources on it. Give resources to trees that will grow on their own after a short establishment period. * Action item 35. $$$$$ Expand the City maintenance list to include all street trees. Why so expensive? on Facebook Share * Education of the public about tree property value can improve voluntary pro-forest behavior. Renters like trees, as do home buyers. Renters will pay higher rent and property buyers pay higher prices. Of course this is somewhat at odds with housing affordability goals... * Invasive tree threat: horse chestnut trees are on a rapid track to dominate the forest on Chuckanut Creek under the 12th Ave bridge, and spread beyond. * The public could benefit from education about social trails. In the past I often went off-trail in places like the 100 acre wood, seeking a feeling of wilderness escape. Now I know better, but I see how legions of others have done the same thing, and the area is overrun with social trails. The psychology of that process could be shortcut with some public education. * Many street trees suck. I see a trend of increasing dwarf character in new street trees. Small, slow growing trees provide little urban forest value. * People will work for their own self interest. I think that would include forestry work close to home such as planting and tree maintenance. The city could facilitate hyper-local neighborhood involvement (volunteerism) and ownership of common forest resources. * I really don't see why Native Americans are called out specifically in this plan. There are myriad interest groups and I don't see that Native Americans are really much more special than all those other groups. * Action item 18. Tree Incentive Program: Expensive $$$$$. Trees are often perceived as only a hassle, due to the required maintenance. I doubt that incentives alone will change much. Owners will plant trees themselves if educated about the economic value of trees. Education is more powerful and less expensive than money incentives. * Action item 30. Urban Forestry department?? $$$$$ This is creating a king with no kingdom. A beaurocratic nothingness. * Action item 46. $$$$$ Water newly planted trees for 3 years. With correct tree selection and planting, only one summer of watering is needed. * Action item 47. $$$$ Mulch trees in parks or large boulevards. If a tree needs mulch to survive, it is not appropriate for that site: don't waste resources on it. Give resources to trees that will grow on their own after a short establishment period. * Action item 35. $$$$$ Expand the City maintenance list to include all street trees. Why so expensive? on Twitter Share * Education of the public about tree property value can improve voluntary pro-forest behavior. Renters like trees, as do home buyers. Renters will pay higher rent and property buyers pay higher prices. Of course this is somewhat at odds with housing affordability goals... * Invasive tree threat: horse chestnut trees are on a rapid track to dominate the forest on Chuckanut Creek under the 12th Ave bridge, and spread beyond. * The public could benefit from education about social trails. In the past I often went off-trail in places like the 100 acre wood, seeking a feeling of wilderness escape. Now I know better, but I see how legions of others have done the same thing, and the area is overrun with social trails. The psychology of that process could be shortcut with some public education. * Many street trees suck. I see a trend of increasing dwarf character in new street trees. Small, slow growing trees provide little urban forest value. * People will work for their own self interest. I think that would include forestry work close to home such as planting and tree maintenance. The city could facilitate hyper-local neighborhood involvement (volunteerism) and ownership of common forest resources. * I really don't see why Native Americans are called out specifically in this plan. There are myriad interest groups and I don't see that Native Americans are really much more special than all those other groups. * Action item 18. Tree Incentive Program: Expensive $$$$$. Trees are often perceived as only a hassle, due to the required maintenance. I doubt that incentives alone will change much. Owners will plant trees themselves if educated about the economic value of trees. Education is more powerful and less expensive than money incentives. * Action item 30. Urban Forestry department?? $$$$$ This is creating a king with no kingdom. A beaurocratic nothingness. * Action item 46. $$$$$ Water newly planted trees for 3 years. With correct tree selection and planting, only one summer of watering is needed. * Action item 47. $$$$ Mulch trees in parks or large boulevards. If a tree needs mulch to survive, it is not appropriate for that site: don't waste resources on it. Give resources to trees that will grow on their own after a short establishment period. * Action item 35. $$$$$ Expand the City maintenance list to include all street trees. Why so expensive? on Linkedin Email * Education of the public about tree property value can improve voluntary pro-forest behavior. Renters like trees, as do home buyers. Renters will pay higher rent and property buyers pay higher prices. Of course this is somewhat at odds with housing affordability goals... * Invasive tree threat: horse chestnut trees are on a rapid track to dominate the forest on Chuckanut Creek under the 12th Ave bridge, and spread beyond. * The public could benefit from education about social trails. In the past I often went off-trail in places like the 100 acre wood, seeking a feeling of wilderness escape. Now I know better, but I see how legions of others have done the same thing, and the area is overrun with social trails. The psychology of that process could be shortcut with some public education. * Many street trees suck. I see a trend of increasing dwarf character in new street trees. Small, slow growing trees provide little urban forest value. * People will work for their own self interest. I think that would include forestry work close to home such as planting and tree maintenance. The city could facilitate hyper-local neighborhood involvement (volunteerism) and ownership of common forest resources. * I really don't see why Native Americans are called out specifically in this plan. There are myriad interest groups and I don't see that Native Americans are really much more special than all those other groups. * Action item 18. Tree Incentive Program: Expensive $$$$$. Trees are often perceived as only a hassle, due to the required maintenance. I doubt that incentives alone will change much. Owners will plant trees themselves if educated about the economic value of trees. Education is more powerful and less expensive than money incentives. * Action item 30. Urban Forestry department?? $$$$$ This is creating a king with no kingdom. A beaurocratic nothingness. * Action item 46. $$$$$ Water newly planted trees for 3 years. With correct tree selection and planting, only one summer of watering is needed. * Action item 47. $$$$ Mulch trees in parks or large boulevards. If a tree needs mulch to survive, it is not appropriate for that site: don't waste resources on it. Give resources to trees that will grow on their own after a short establishment period. * Action item 35. $$$$$ Expand the City maintenance list to include all street trees. Why so expensive? link

    * Education of the public about tree property value can improve voluntary pro-forest behavior. Renters like trees, as do home buyers. Renters will pay higher rent and property buyers pay higher prices. Of course this is somewhat at odds with housing affordability goals... * Invasive tree threat: horse chestnut trees are on a rapid track to dominate the forest on Chuckanut Creek under the 12th Ave bridge, and spread beyond. * The public could benefit from education about social trails. In the past I often went off-trail in places like the 100 acre wood, seeking a feeling of wilderness escape. Now I know better, but I see how legions of others have done the same thing, and the area is overrun with social trails. The psychology of that process could be shortcut with some public education. * Many street trees suck. I see a trend of increasing dwarf character in new street trees. Small, slow growing trees provide little urban forest value. * People will work for their own self interest. I think that would include forestry work close to home such as planting and tree maintenance. The city could facilitate hyper-local neighborhood involvement (volunteerism) and ownership of common forest resources. * I really don't see why Native Americans are called out specifically in this plan. There are myriad interest groups and I don't see that Native Americans are really much more special than all those other groups. * Action item 18. Tree Incentive Program: Expensive $$$$$. Trees are often perceived as only a hassle, due to the required maintenance. I doubt that incentives alone will change much. Owners will plant trees themselves if educated about the economic value of trees. Education is more powerful and less expensive than money incentives. * Action item 30. Urban Forestry department?? $$$$$ This is creating a king with no kingdom. A beaurocratic nothingness. * Action item 46. $$$$$ Water newly planted trees for 3 years. With correct tree selection and planting, only one summer of watering is needed. * Action item 47. $$$$ Mulch trees in parks or large boulevards. If a tree needs mulch to survive, it is not appropriate for that site: don't waste resources on it. Give resources to trees that will grow on their own after a short establishment period. * Action item 35. $$$$$ Expand the City maintenance list to include all street trees. Why so expensive?

    Eric Worden asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan.

  • Share We must protect mature trees! They give Bellingham its beauty and character. on Facebook Share We must protect mature trees! They give Bellingham its beauty and character. on Twitter Share We must protect mature trees! They give Bellingham its beauty and character. on Linkedin Email We must protect mature trees! They give Bellingham its beauty and character. link

    We must protect mature trees! They give Bellingham its beauty and character.

    Steve bush asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan.

  • Share I just took the survey. Would like to add that I think the city needs to do a better job of protecting our mature trees. Key example is the BGCC development, which you approved with NO consideration to the many mature trees on the property which will be lost in order to build a few expensive condos. I question whether there will be affordable housing provided in whatever development comes to pass. And planting new trees as mitigation for the 300+ mature trees that will be lost is not an effective solution. We need clear, enforceable city laws to protect our mature trees. on Facebook Share I just took the survey. Would like to add that I think the city needs to do a better job of protecting our mature trees. Key example is the BGCC development, which you approved with NO consideration to the many mature trees on the property which will be lost in order to build a few expensive condos. I question whether there will be affordable housing provided in whatever development comes to pass. And planting new trees as mitigation for the 300+ mature trees that will be lost is not an effective solution. We need clear, enforceable city laws to protect our mature trees. on Twitter Share I just took the survey. Would like to add that I think the city needs to do a better job of protecting our mature trees. Key example is the BGCC development, which you approved with NO consideration to the many mature trees on the property which will be lost in order to build a few expensive condos. I question whether there will be affordable housing provided in whatever development comes to pass. And planting new trees as mitigation for the 300+ mature trees that will be lost is not an effective solution. We need clear, enforceable city laws to protect our mature trees. on Linkedin Email I just took the survey. Would like to add that I think the city needs to do a better job of protecting our mature trees. Key example is the BGCC development, which you approved with NO consideration to the many mature trees on the property which will be lost in order to build a few expensive condos. I question whether there will be affordable housing provided in whatever development comes to pass. And planting new trees as mitigation for the 300+ mature trees that will be lost is not an effective solution. We need clear, enforceable city laws to protect our mature trees. link

    I just took the survey. Would like to add that I think the city needs to do a better job of protecting our mature trees. Key example is the BGCC development, which you approved with NO consideration to the many mature trees on the property which will be lost in order to build a few expensive condos. I question whether there will be affordable housing provided in whatever development comes to pass. And planting new trees as mitigation for the 300+ mature trees that will be lost is not an effective solution. We need clear, enforceable city laws to protect our mature trees.

    Lauren Fritzen asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan.

  • Share I strongly feel West Street (a through street) in the Columbia Neighborhood, would benefit greatly from having more trees planted along this street. Many people drive West Street to pass through to Squalicum Way. Beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees along this road could further amplify the appeal/property values of the Columbia neighborhood as a whole. on Facebook Share I strongly feel West Street (a through street) in the Columbia Neighborhood, would benefit greatly from having more trees planted along this street. Many people drive West Street to pass through to Squalicum Way. Beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees along this road could further amplify the appeal/property values of the Columbia neighborhood as a whole. on Twitter Share I strongly feel West Street (a through street) in the Columbia Neighborhood, would benefit greatly from having more trees planted along this street. Many people drive West Street to pass through to Squalicum Way. Beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees along this road could further amplify the appeal/property values of the Columbia neighborhood as a whole. on Linkedin Email I strongly feel West Street (a through street) in the Columbia Neighborhood, would benefit greatly from having more trees planted along this street. Many people drive West Street to pass through to Squalicum Way. Beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees along this road could further amplify the appeal/property values of the Columbia neighborhood as a whole. link

    I strongly feel West Street (a through street) in the Columbia Neighborhood, would benefit greatly from having more trees planted along this street. Many people drive West Street to pass through to Squalicum Way. Beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees along this road could further amplify the appeal/property values of the Columbia neighborhood as a whole.

    BQ asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for sharing your input! Your comment will be considered in the development of our Urban Forest Plan. 

Page last updated: 18 Jun 2024, 02:07 PM