Specifications include, but are not limited to: Canopy Assessment • Complete a canopy analysis that provides information on urban forest structure (e.g., species composition, number of trees, tree density, tree health, and other characteristics) that includes trees located outside of public property within town limits and can be geographically segmented. The analysis should integrate existing data sets such as disadvantaged communities, impervious surfaces, council districts, land types, flood zones, etc. The Consultant should recommend and create additional analysis of tree canopy on private property, in wetlands corridors and include any other assessments to identify areas of opportunity for planting trees such as by removing concrete/sidewalks, or through planting trees on private property, residential front yards, business complexes, schools, and in other strategic areas. The canopy analysis should integrate the understanding of climate change, by incorporating urban heat island effects and average land surface temperature, to inform how urban forest management and expansion activities can mitigate heat impacts. It will also provide information on species composition, structure and age. Consultant shall integrate any existing and historical data into the model, which may require collaboration with Town staff involved in relevant projects and datasets. • Use i-Tree or similar software to evaluate the economic value of Stratford’s urban forest and cost-benefit of strategic investment in trees and their care. The analysis will also focus on determination of the value of trees in terms of species frequency, relative age, overall condition, carbon sequestration, and replacement value, among other items. • The consultant shall determine the optimal size and species of trees to plant in strategic locations for maximum environmental, economic, and cultural benefits. The data will be later used by the Town to design shovel-ready projects. The resulting analysis will be integrated throughout the public outreach process and function as a primary resource for recommendations and goals for the urban forest management plan. • The canopy assessment must be completed by December 2024. Tree Inventory The purpose of the tree inventory is to identify the health, condition, and maintenance needs of existing trees located on public property and to identify potential planting sites in areas with low canopy cover. Results of the tree inventory will be used to set objectives for tree planting to increase the diversity and overall health of the urban forest; address potential hazards; and prepare work plans and budgets for removal, planting, and pruning. • Inventory all trees within Town rights-of-way, park areas, and other municipal properties. The quantity of trees to be inventoried is currently unknown. Proposal should include a cost per tree, and preference will be given to inventory street trees over park trees should funding be limited. There are approximately 200+/- miles of municipal roadways in Stratford, and select portions of state roadways over which the Town maintains trees. • The minimum data attributes to be collected for each tree includes the following: o Latitude and Longitude o Species Botanical Name and Common Name o Location/Land Use Note potential infrastructure conflicts (e.g., overhead utilities, sidewalks, etc.) o DBH o General Condition/Recommended Maintenance o Date of Inspection o Notes • All data collection shall be completed by arborist(s) certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and/or the State of Connecticut. Copies of each arborist’s credentials are required at the time of proposal. • Inventory data shall be provided in tree management software compatible with Geographic Information System (GIS). The Town does not currently utilize tree management software. As such, this software should also be included in the proposal. The final inventory shall be submitted as a geodatabase or shapefile. Metadata, including detailed citations describing field data collection practices, equipment settings, post-processing procedures, base stations use for differential correction and expected accuracy, are to be submitted with this deliverable. Urban Forest Management Plan The UFMP shall be led by a science based, community driven process. The plan will identify a fifty (50) year plan to enhance the urban forest with specific, meaningful, and achievable goals. The plan will identify a long-term canopy coverage goal. Components of the plan will include an analysis of the current condition of the urban forest, including management methods and stakeholder opinions. The plan will also include an equity analysis to help ensure future urban forest management provides socio-economically equitable benefits to Stratford residents, as appropriate. During the development of the UFMP, the consultant shall conduct a review of current tree care practices, policies, and procedures that currently guide management of municipal trees. Specific issues to be addressed in the UFMP include, but are not limited to: • declining canopy in older residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors; • strategies to incentivize tree planting and maintenance in disadvantaged areas; • strategies to address previously unmaintained or poorly maintained trees; • strategies to organize neighborhood and community tree planting projects; • tree preservation ordinance language and analysis of appropriate tree preservation policy instruments, and tree care practices across the town; • review of current tree management methodology and ordinance; • strategies to mitigate tree and infrastructure conflicts around streets, sidewalks, and utilities.
