Petaluma DAT18Reduce Heat Using Trees as Infrastructure• Managing land to improve carbon sequestrationand reduction of transportation related emissionsTrees within the public right-of-way are considered keycomponents of the infrastructure of many cities. Streettrees provide benefits that promote sustainability andhelp alleviate environmental problems. They provideshade and if properly placed can decrease buildingenergy use. Additionally, trees can help cities controlstormwater runoff given their leaves, stems, and rootsslow rain from reaching the ground and capture andstore rainfall to be released later. Street trees canprovide other benefits, such as improved air quality,carbon storage, reduced noise, and aesthetic value.Studies also have shown that the presence of trees canhave positive effects on mental health and cognitivefunction.• Managing land to improve water quality andstormwater management• Creating a cooler Petaluma through the addition ofmore trees• Restoring a sense of belonging and connection wnatureRestore Natural Ecology through theCreation of a Riverfront ParkRestoring the historic tidal marsh expands suitablewetland habitat and creates increased flood protectionduring the winter and store water during summerdroughts. Wetlands are a powerful nature-basedsolution for climate mitigation, adaptation andbiodiversity. They have the capacity to sequester carbonis double that of world forests. This strategy would createa 20-acre park and restore 26 acres of tidal marsh.Urban areas generally lack suitable places to plant largertrees. Cities in the past have done a poor job in plantingand maintaining trees, causing the trees to becomehazards for houses, cars and infrastructure. In order toprovide healthy trees that can fully provide their span ofbenefits, trees need the proper soil quality and volume.In urban environments that may mean providing properinfrastructure to support tree growth.The restoration of these lost tidal marshes can provideflood protection due to increased storage for watercapacity and groundwater recharge as well as providingadded water filtration benefits. Restoring tidal marshesallow the reconnection of tidal conveyance of thePetaluma River.Trees in urban environments need uncompacted,well aerated, and moist soil in order to thrive. Theseconditions allow tree roots to obtain the essentialcomponents they require for healthy growth - nutrients,oxygen, and water. In addition, trees need an adequatevolume of root, oxygen-rich soil to thrive and develop theroots to support their structure. Studies show that treesin urban conditions need a minimum of 1,000 cubic feetof soil per tree. Trees can become critical infrastructure,and reduce flooding and pollution given that 1000cubic feet of good soil can conservatively hold about200 cubic feet of water. Current technologies such asmodular tree cells and structural soils make this volumeachievable for urban conditions.In addition to the ecological benefits, this newly createdriverfront park would provide public access to the water,create more nature-based recreational opportunities,that would allow for public education and awarenessof the need to protect nature, provide flexible spacesfor community interaction and multicultural recreation.The 20-acre park area could be floodable during stormconditions for added protection to the developed areasof the City.A Riverfront Park adds 20 acres of park land for the city as well as 26 acres of restored wetlands for flood protection.Recently, tree canopy has been recognized as an equityissue. American Forests, a nonprofit conservation
It seems that your browser's pop-up blocker has prevented us from opening a new window/tab. Please click the button below to open the link manually.
