FAQs
How Did the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan get started?
Development of a Citywide Biodiversity Strategy was included as a Sustainability and Climate Resiliency initiative in City Council’s adopted 2021-23 Strategic Work Plan. On June 28, 2022, City Council approved funding for 2022-23 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects which included a project to create a city-wide Biodiversity Strategy to inform and influence city plans, projects, and ordinances regarding vegetation, wildlife and species that will increase local habitats, withstand climate change, and create a more resilient environment. The Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan will also replace the existing 2015 Community Tree Master Plan and provide an updated blueprint and reporting process for preserving and enhancing tree canopy. Multiple departments, including Community Services, Public Works, and Community Development are collaborating on this project as the goals, recommendations and implementation will influence a number of City plans, policies, and projects.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, trees, and even microorganisms (like bacteria!) that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity is important because it provides us with natural resources (food, water, wood, etc.), natural services (pest control, air and water purification, etc.), natural health (mental and physical) and natural beauty (aesthetic).
What is an Urban Forest?
An urban forest is a collection of trees in a city or town, including trees in residential properties, along streets, and in parks. Urban forests also include green and open spaces like gardens, water and wildlife corridors, and wetlands. Urban trees and forests have many benefits such as reduced energy costs through shade, absorbing pollutants like cardon dioxide, decreasing water runoff to prevent flooding, improved mental health by lowered stress, and increasing home values with natural landscaping and aesthesis.
What is Urban Greening?
Actions taken to increase vegetation cover in urban areas. Some examples include street tree planting; stormwater retention basin and green infrastructure installation (like green roofs and walls); park creation, protection, and enhancement; backyard gardening; commercial landscaping; and pollinator plantings.
What is Green Space?
Urban areas with grass, shrubs, trees, or other vegetation primarily dedicated to aesthetic, functional, recreational or habitat provisioning purposes.
What are Native Species?
Native species are those that have evolved in a specific geography or climatic region. To better answer this question, one should pose another: native to where? For example, species can be native to the United States of America, native to California, native to the San Francisco Bay Area, or native to a Mediterranean climate. The Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan will define nativity as species that have evolved in and around the City of Mountain View, but will also include nearby species that may be appropriate in the near future, given anticipated range shifts as the climate changes.
What is Ecology?
A field of science that specializes in how individuals, communities, and populations of species interact with each other and their environment through space and over time.