Urban Forest

Font Size: + -

Vision

We envision the municipal forestry program as a community engagement program that cares for

and enhances our municipal forest for current and future generations to enjoy.

Program Statement

To preserve, protect, maintain and enhance Henderson’s municipal forest through

proper management and care of city trees.

The City of Henderson’s municipal forest consists of more than 30,000 street, park and median trees, approximately 290 trees per square mile. This carefully managed resource, valued in the millions of dollars, stores and removes from our air thousands of tons of carbon each year. These trees intercept pollution, reduce stormwater runoff, and reduce energy consumption.

The Parks and Recreation Department’s integrated approach to managing our municipal forest serves as a guide in preserving the canopy we have today as well as and counsels us as we continue to seek practical and innovative methods to care for and expand upon this necessary community asset.

A municipal forest has many community, economic, environmental and social benefits:

Climate moderation
Habitat for birds and other wildlife
Increased property values
Make our trails and walkways more inviting, encouraging walking and biking
Provide respite from the summer sun
Provide traffic calming when located near roadways

Research shows that just the sight of trees can calm the entire body, making us more relaxed. By following the guidelines and policies set forth in our municipal forestry plan, we can ensure that the many benefits of urban trees can be broadened to reach more residents, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and commercial areas.

Urban Forest

The USDA Forest Service defines the management of the urban forest as “the planning for and management of a community’s forest resources to enhance the quality of life. The process integrates the economic, environmental, political and social values of the community to develop a comprehensive management plan for the urban forest. The urban forest is not only present on city property, but is present throughout the full city, regardless of property ownership.”

Currently, the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department’s

municipal forest consists of approximately 30,000 trees in addition to:

1,284 acres of trees with plans to expand park acreage to 1,105 - an increase of nearly 600 acres of trees.
70 miles of trails with plans to expand trails to 111 miles.
21 acres of maintained landscapes at police and fire stations.
7 fully landscaped recreation centers totaling 58 acres.
28 acres of municipal buildings, complexes, including City Hall, Justice Facility,
wastewater, and other utility buildings.

Benefits of Urban Forest

Trees are an important asset in the City of Henderson. Our trees stretch across the city and have a direct, positive influence on residents’ quality of life. They are a vital part of the city’s green infrastructure and the contributions they make benefit residents in physical, psychological and emotional ways. The benefits listed below are only an abbreviated list, and are adapted from the “Desert Southwest Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs and Strategic Planning” by Gregory

E. McPherson, et al.

Trees improve air quality by absorbing gaseous pollutants, intercepting particulate matter, releasing oxygen.
Trees save energy by reducing air conditioning needs, blocking hot and cool winds, and providing shade, thereby reducing the heat island index.
Trees reduce storm water runoff and pollutant loading by intercepting rain and holding soil by their roots.
Trees provide aesthetic, social, and health benefits. They add color and texture, line and form to soften hard geometric building and streets. Trees foster safer and more social neighborhoods. Research on hospitalized patients with views of nature and time spent outdoors indicate they need less medication and sleep better than patients without nature views or time spent outdoors.
Trees increase property values and foster safer neighborhoods. Research now indicates that shoppers in well-landscaped business districts are willing to spend up to 12 percent more for goods and services.

Maximizing Our Green Infrastructure In the Mojave Desert

Tree-related benefits are maximized through a managed tree program because the urban/desert environment is a difficult place for trees to survive. Research shows the average life span of a city tree nationwide is seven years, but the average lifespan of trees in a municipal environment should be more than 30 years. Tree longevity can be impacted by construction activities, pollution, poor soils, restricted root space, vandalism, insects, and disease. Henderson is located within the harsh Mojave Desert, which makes growing trees even more difficult. It is the most arid

desert in North America and averages only two to four inches of rain annually. The area is known for its hard caliche soils, low organic material and high alkalinity.

The municipal forestry program will help to extend the lives of trees by planning and implementing programs that provide the specialized care needed for proper growing conditions.

In order to maximize efforts implemented by the program, short- and long-term goals should be established that include both internal and external communication.

Municipal Forestry Program Plan

Videos & Podcasts

Learn more about conservation, landscape maintenance and the urban forest! Click the images below to watch and listen!

Henderson, NV

Service Finder

How Do I...

Search Box - Custom Content

Urban Forest

Vision

Program Statement

Videos & Podcasts