Poulsbo Tree Board reviews Western Washington canopy assessment, readies DNR grant deliverables and policy recommendations

Poulsbo—s Tree Board on Monday reviewed Western Washington University's Poulsbo Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and discussed next steps to finalize DNR grant deliverables, pressing staff to prepare a city report and outreach materials before the grant deadline.

Board members said the assessment shows the largest canopy losses came from retail and residential development, particularly in northwest parts of the city, and noted census-tract canopy estimates in the report ranged from about 57.6% to 26.3%. Kevin, who said he will write the city's final report incorporating Tree Board input, told the group he will align the assessment with the city's Urban Forestry Standards and Specifications Manual and the master public tree plan.

Board members said the university report provides maps, canopy-change timelines and recommendations but needs local context and specific edits before it is submitted to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Maxwell proposed creating two outreach products from the analysis: an "ecosystem services" flyer showing lost canopy and a separate flyer estimating the monetary value of trees using I-Tree software. Maxwell said those products would help translate technical findings for the public and…