Woodland Management, Forest Fire Mitigation, and Trail Restoration
Springfield is fortunate to have several hundred acres of woodland situated within a number of our parks – where residents can seek respite from busy city life & where wildlife can find suitable habitat. In order to preserve and revitalize these urban woodlands, significant management planning, forest stewardship, and walking trail restoration will take place in:
- Forest Park
- Blunt Park
- Van Horn Park
This work begins with a professional forestry consultant, who will assess each park’s wooded areas and create Urban Woodland Management Plans and Forest Fire Mitigation Plans for each one. Site-specific, comprehensive management plans that consider wildfire risk will allow the City to prioritize resources to improve the resilience of our forest ecosystems and reduce the risk to abutting properties and residents.
Once the plans have been completed, the Forestry Division and hired tree companies will begin the work laid out in the plans – improving the health of our urban woodlands and addressing recommendations to reduce vulnerability to forest fires.
What is an Urban Woodland Management Plan
A plan for managing a forested area to maintain or improve: forest health, resilience to extreme weather, water quality, soil quality/condition, recreation (and public safety), aesthetics, wildlife habitat and plant biodiversity.
Developing a management plan for these woodlands will provide clear instruction on how to enhance the environmental benefits they provide and may include recommendations for activities such as: invasive species removal, insect and disease management, wildlife habitat restoration, tree pruning, and high-risk tree removal.
What is a Forest Fire Mitigation Plan?
A plan to identify where forest fire risk exists, outline forest management techniques to reduce or mitigate that risk in order to minimize loss/harm done to woodlands, humans, and wildlife while creating healthier natural ecosystems. Forest fire mitigation is particularly important in an urban setting like Springfield, where many homes and private properties abut public woodlands.
Trail Restoration and Development
We also aim to improve the experience of residents who spend time within these wooded areas and attract more residents to become users of this recreational resource. We will do this through the restoration and development of safe, enjoyable, and educational trail systems. Removing potentially hazardous trees, pruning in high-traffic areas, clearly marking trails, and providing interpretative signage will enhance the experience of visitors and create a passive way to provide environmental education to a wide range of Springfield residents.