HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-25 Public Comment - Bozeman Tree Coalition - BTC suggestions for City Commission Priorities 2026-2028From:BozemanTreeCoalition
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Jennifer Madgic; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode;asweeney@bozeman.net
Cc:Alison Sweeney
Subject:[EXTERNAL]BTC suggestions for City Commission Priorities 2026-2028
Date:Thursday, January 8, 2026 9:53:23 AM
Attachments:2026.1.7. BTC- Commission priorities 2026-2028.pdf
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Dear City Clerk-
Please submit this comment to the public comment folder for the City Commission's specialmeeting Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
Thank you,Bozeman Tree Coalition
Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners-
The Bozeman Tree Coalition submits the following letter of suggestions for yourconsideration as you deliberate City Commission Priorities for 2026-2028 on Monday, Jan.
12, 2026. Thank you,
Bozeman Tree Coalition
Bozeman City Commission Priorities 2026-2028
Suggestions by the Bozeman Tree Coalition
January 7, 2026
Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Commissioners-
The Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) welcomes you to the new year and looks forward to
working with you on your eIorts to protect the natural environment in the city of Bozeman.
To that end, we oIer the following suggestions for you to consider as new priorities under
the categories of Sustainable Environment and A Well-Planned City.
During the past 2 years, the City put considerable eIort into protecting and improving water
resources and related codes and policies. The next 2 years, with the Urban Forestry
Management Plan set to begin its updating process, provide the perfect opportunity to
focus on our urban forest—both public and private, Heritage Trees, trees on parcels
undergoing development or redevelopment, native vegetation, and wildlife corridors and
habitat.
Some recommended goals include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Complete the Urban Forestry Management Plan, including adoption of a Tree
Protection Ordinance
• Hire an urban ecologist (independent of the Community Development Department)
to work with the City’s various departments, especially with development projects
and transportation reviews and to provide staI training sessions on urban ecology
best practices
• Develop a native/indigenous tree protection program for within City limits
• Continue the work begun on Landmark Trees and/or the Heritage Tree Program with
a goal to complete it by the end of 2027
• Create line item in the forestry budget to assist residential tree protections such as
pruning assistance, etc.
BOZEMANTREECOALITION@GMAIL.COM
• Codify the tree protections in the NCOD’s landscape requirements
• Research and incorporate progressive mature tree protection codes from similar
mountain west towns for trees on private property undergoing development or
redevelopment
• Update the Bozeman Community Plan to better incorporate the community’s goals
of protecting mature and indigenous trees, vegetation, and bird habitat
In conjunction with the anticipated update of the Urban Forestry Management Plan,
prioritizing the protection of trees and native vegetation and their related wildlife habitat is
the logical and progressive next step after the recent focus on watercourses and wetlands,
and other water related issues.
As stated above, the Bozeman Tree Coalition looks forward to working with City
Commissioners and staI on helping to achieve the above goals over the next 2 years.
Sincerely,
The Bozeman Tree Coalition co-founders
Marcia Kaveney
Daniel Carty
Angie Kociolek
April Craighead
Lara Schulz
Chris McQueary