Marion Urban Reforestation Master Plan

The Urban Reforestation Master Plan was prepared in response to a natural disaster (a derecho) that the City of Marion, Iowa experienced in 2020, leaving that City with a 36% overall tree canopy loss. The derecho left the City with a rare opportunity to implement a plan along street right-of-way and in public parks that not only begins to replace lost tree canopy cover, but does so in a way that complements the vegetation that was spared by the storm. JBC developed a plan that included implementation strategies, phasing, cost analysis, resource and staffing expansion, city policy updates, partnership and funding opportunities, and volunteerism.

In addition, JBC’s scope also fostered the development of a community engagement plan that empowered community stakeholders and residents to have a voice in the process and eventual outcome.

JBC proposed and employed strategies such as public engagement/stakeholder workshops, live survey polling at project open houses, public input kiosks at public institutional facilities, an online community survey, and website and newsletter notifications.