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Sunnyvale names new urban landscape manager and outlines tree‑canopy challenges, pests and study priorities
Summary
Parks superintendent introduced Travis Rios as the city's new urban landscape manager and staff outlined threats to the urban canopy, proposed study items (street tree inventory, equity‑focused replanting) and options for future canopy strategies.
The Parks and Recreation Commission received an overview Sept. 10 of the city’s urban forest program, staffing changes and long‑term planning priorities, including a proposed street‑tree inventory and an equity‑driven replanting effort.
Jim Stark, superintendent of parks and golf, introduced Travis Rios as the new urban landscape manager, noting Rios took his post about six months ago. Stark said Rios replaces longtime urban forest manager Leonard Dunn, who retired after 37 years of service.
Rios framed the city’s tree program around long‑term climate and landscape challenges. “The trees are the same way. Less water, less ability to take care of themselves,” he said, describing how longer heat stretches and reduced rainfall stress trees and increase vulnerability to pests and disease.
Rios described the urban heat‑island trend, gave comparative indices for…
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