Boise City Council President Elaine Clegg announced a new initiative on Arbor Day 2020 to expand Boise’s tree canopy and promote climate resiliency. The City of Trees Challenge, launched in partnership with the Treasure Valley Canopy Network, has an ambitious goal: to plant 100,000 trees, one for every household in Boise, over the next 10 years.
“This is a lofty goal, but one that we can achieve with your help. I and City of Boise leadership know that trees can make a vital contribution as we work together toward a greener, more environmentally friendly future,” said Clegg. “Trees make us feel good, they provide shade, help lower temperature in our neighborhoods, clean stormwater, provide cost savings and reduced energy use, and much more. Let’s show Idaho and the rest of the world what it means to live up to the name ‘City of Trees’ by planting as many trees as we can.”
The City of Trees Challenge also aims to plant one sapling for every Boise resident in forests across the world. These goals will be met through community partnerships, sponsorship and neighborhood engagement.
"The Treasure Valley Canopy Network is excited to partner with the City of Boise on the City of Trees Challenge,” said Lance Davisson, coordinator of the Treasure Valley Canopy Network. “Together, we will lead a challenge that starts with every Boisean and spreads across Idaho, and the world, to build a more resilient climate and society over the next decade."
To kick off this effort, the city has planted 20 trees over the last week. Over the course of the next few months, our team will begin outreach efforts and establish a tree counting system to track data and tree planting for the decade-long project. City staff, the Treasure Valley Canopy Network and community partners are working on securing trees to prepare for more tree planting events later this year.
Want to help build a healthier, more resilient community through trees? Visit our website to learn more and get involved.