A pioneering plan expands tree cover and boosts biodiversity.

What role can a Silicon Valley city play in reversing local biodiversity loss? And what can urban nature offer to safeguard the community’s health and wellbeing?

The answer lies in Mountain View’s recently adopted Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan. The plan marks a fundamental shift in city planning, weaving traditional urban forest management with ecological planning to manage the landscape as a single, connected ecosystem. Conventional urban design segregates the landscape, preferring ornamental greenery and concrete channels in developed areas, while relegating native plants and wildlife and natural creeks to isolated open spaces. Mountain View will bridge this divide by integrating the care of its trees, creeks, parks, and urban landscaping under a single vision: fostering human health alongside ecological resilience.

The plan balances ambition with feasibility by blending three core inputs. First, extensive community engagement and public input were foundational to ensure the plan reflected the shared values of local residents. Second, a science-based approach informed the plan’s underlying strategies, relying on data-driven ecological assessments to set priorities. Third, cross-departmental collaboration by city staff ensured that the resulting commitments and priorities can be implemented. In practice, the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan will set priorities for the city’s operations, programming, policy and ordinance updates, capital projects, and community partnerships. 

This foundational document was developed in a collaborative partnership between SFEI and the City of Mountain View Community Services Department, with support from Davey Resources Group, technical advisors, and dedicated community members. Ultimately, the plan serves as a model for how cities can support regional conservation efforts and community resilience to a changing climate. To explore the full framework and see how these ecological strategies will reshape the local environment, read the City of Mountain View Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan.