HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 - Submissions - 2026 Urban Forest Management PlanFrom:Josh Elliott
To:Bozeman Procurement
Cc:Myla Kelly; Hannah Kuhns; Carrie Asselmeier; Chris Peiffer; Alex Nordquest; Shari Eslinger
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update - Proposal from DJ&A - Due Nov. 19, 2025 at3:00 pm
Date:Wednesday, November 19, 2025 1:37:37 PM
Attachments:image001.pngimage002.png251119 Bozeman UFMP Proposal.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good afternoon, Mike.
Please see our attached proposal to update the City of Bozeman’s Urban Forest Management
Plan. We appreciate the opportunity to propose on this project and look forward to working
with the City. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else.
Regards,
Josh
Josh Elliott, P.E.
Environmental Project Manager at DJ&A
Phone: 406.721.4320 Mobile: 720.326.2203
Email: josh.elliott@djanda.com
220 West Lamme Street, Unit 1D
Bozeman, MT 59715
djanda.com
November 19, 2025
City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
c/o Alex Nordquest, Forestry Division Manager
600 Bridger Drive
Bozeman, MT 59715
Subject: City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
Dear Alex,
We are pleased to submit this proposal to update the Urban Forest Management Plan for the City
of Bozeman and are excited about working on this project in our home community.
With an office in Bozeman, DJ&A has deep experience in land use and resource planning across
the western U.S., especially in Montana. Our work developing planning documents for counties
across the state demonstrates our ability to efficiently update plans in a professional manner while
addressing each community’s unique needs. Our team will build upon the City of Bozeman’s
previous Urban Forest Management Plan and ongoing efforts to provide unmatched benefits to the
City resulting from our experience with:
• Planning development and updates for communities across the west including complex GIS
analyses and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations;
• Supporting local agencies to facilitate and engage a variety of stakeholders to find common
ground and alignment with priorities and objectives for planning efforts; and
• Developing the highest quality documents and public-facing project materials.
DJ&A will be partnering with PlanIT Geo for technical support on this project. Headquartered in
Colorado, PlanIT Geo is a global leader in urban forestry consulting specializing in incorporating
data driven strategies into comprehensive planning documents to bring improved efficiency to tree
maintenance programs and tree risk management. PlanIT Geo will be applying their cutting-edge
urban forestry data to support our team’s preparation of a modernized, informative, and useful
Urban Forest Management Plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to present our approach. While this proposal presents our
recommended approach based on our current understanding of the City’s needs, we understand
that additional coordination can help us optimize our services. If you identify any part of our
proposal that seems out of alignment with the City’s vision, we would welcome the opportunity to
discuss it further. For questions or additional information, please contact Josh Elliott, the proposed
project manager.
Respectfully submitted,
Josh Elliott, PE Myla Kelly
DJ&A Environmental Project Manager
josh.elliott@djanda.com
(406) 721-4320
DJ&A Environmental Group Lead
myla.kelly@djanda.com
(406) 721-4320
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
2 | Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Urban forest management planning is essential for sustaining healthy, resilient urban ecosystems,
especially in the face of climate change and, for the City of Bozeman, to complement the rapid
population growth. Trees provide communities with critical benefits such as improved air quality,
stormwater management, and enhanced biodiversity; however, urban forests are increasingly
vulnerable to climate stressors like extreme heat, drought, and severe storms and are further
susceptible to pest infestations. The City of Bozeman is in a unique position to take advantage of
the current intersection of expansion planning for the city while accounting for inevitable changes
in climate over the coming decades. A robust and actionable Urban Forest Management Plan
(UFMP, or Plan) will ensure that the city is prepared to:
•Develop a solid baseline of data from which to make actionable decisions,
•Ensure City staff have the capacity and equipment to implement Plan goals,
•Select climate-resilient species to best address climate change impacts and prepare for
Emerald Ash Borer, and
•Engage the community in stewardship efforts and volunteer activities.
These overarching goals provide the framework for the process DJ&A will use, in collaboration with
the City and other stakeholders, to deliver an updated Urban Forest Management Plan that accounts
for the City of Bozeman’s unique situation and effectively plans for future conditions.
Our team includes DJ&A (prime consultant) and PlanIT Geo (subconsultant). Collectively, we offer
the City of Bozeman all the benefits of a local consultant combined with the technical expertise of
a world leader in urban forest planning. DJ&A will provide a personalized touch for the project,
capitalizing on our experience facilitating similar types of planning projects and public engagement
processes across Montana. PlanIT Geo will contribute world class technical expertise in urban
forest management planning, and our project manager will coordinate all key team members from
both companies to seamlessly integrate with the City.
FIRM PROFILE
DJ&A
Founded in Missoula in 1973, DJ&A is an S Corporation with 190 employees. We are a
multidisciplinary professional services consulting firm with skilled teams that consistently deliver
the highest quality projects for our clients. Our team of professionals delivers a diverse range of
environmental, planning, engineering, landscape architecture, and survey projects for federal, state,
local, and private clientele with a current annual volume of business reaching $38 million. We have
built a reputation for excellence in the services we provide and the results we produce for our
clients. DJ&A is experienced in land and resource management and land use planning throughout
the West, particularly in Montana. Our experience developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
3 | Page
(CWPPs) for Montana counties supports our ability to effectively and efficiently work with Montana
communities to create robust planning documents that meet the unique needs of each community.
Headquartered in Missoula, DJ&A has regional offices in Bozeman; Denver, CO; Vancouver, WA;
Reno, NV; and Albuquerque, NM. DJ&A has established a strong working relationship with the City
of Bozeman through projects such as the Kirk Park Master Plan and numerous private
developments requiring close coordination with City staff. Our team regularly collaborates with
planning, engineering, and public works departments to guide clients toward code-compliant,
context-sensitive designs that meet both project goals and the City’s vision. These experiences
have fostered a genuine partnership built on mutual respect, shared priorities, and a commitment
to delivering designs that reflect Bozeman’s community values and long-term sustainability goals.
Most staff we have assigned to serve this contract work out of the Missoula and Bozeman offices.
With the primary staff assigned to this project living and working in Montana, we will be able to
efficiently participate in in-person meetings. We have found that in-person meetings with core team
members are invaluable for effective team building and producing high-quality planning documents.
Similarly, our ability to efficiently facilitate in-person public meetings will greatly benefit the public
engagement part of the project.
PLANIT GEO
PlanIT Geo is an urban forestry consulting and software firm with a mission to map the world’s
urban forests for a greener future by integrating experience with cutting-edge technology and
planning for urban forestry, parks, and arboriculture. PlanIT Geo has been in the urban forestry
business since its establishment by CEO Ian Hanou in 2012, has expanded to over 40 employees
in 2025, and was established as a C Corporation in 2022. PlanIT Geo is based in Arvada, Colorado,
with remote offices around the country. PlanIT Geo provides contractual services including tree
inventories and risk assessments using TreePlotterTM software, urban forest and risk tree planning,
tree inventory and management software, land cover mapping (LiDAR and multispectral imagery),
tree canopy assessments, GIS analysis, and i-Tree studies. Over 500 communities, nonprofits, and
state/local governments throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia
have used the PlanIT Geo team to perform tree inventories, write tailored management plans, and
conduct tree canopy assessments.
The PlanIT Geo team provides customized urban forestry solutions, resources, and tools to local
governments, nonprofits, universities, and private industries that guide these entities to a holistic
approach in sustainable urban forestry and environmental equity. Currently, nine U.S. state
agencies and hundreds of communities use PlanIT Geo’s TreePlotterTM INVENTORY and CANOPY
software on a regional or statewide basis for cloud hosting of tree inventories, canopy
assessments, document storage, community engagement, and interactive dashboards. Over the
last 11 years, PlanIT Geo has been involved in hundreds of urban forestry and environmentally
related projects around the world. The PlanIT Geo team possesses extensive knowledge of urban
forestry practices in the western United States. The entire PlanIT Geo team has a wide array of skill
sets related to urban forestry and is committed to serving clients with the highest quality of
products available in the urban forestry industry.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
4 | Page
PlanIT Geo pairs advanced technical tools with firsthand experience in Montana urban forestry,
bringing Bozeman locally relevant, practical solutions instead of generic templates.
Recommendations will be mapped to City systems and designed for immediate use, allowing
Bozeman to implement transformative Plan actions with confidence.
ROLES & QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY STAFF
Together, DJ&A and PlanIT Geo have assembled a highly qualified team of professionals with
experience specifically related to the tasks outlined in this proposal and with the capacity to perform
the proposed work effectively and efficiently. Our team is prepared to commit all key team members
for the length of the contract. If needed, additional support may be provided by other team
members under key staff supervision. Our key team members all have extensive experience and
knowledge relevant to their roles in this project. Experience summaries of our key staff are included
below, and resumes for key staff are included in Appendix A. Contact information for primary
contacts is included in Table 1.
Myla Kelly | Senior Advisor and Facilitator | DJ&A
Myla has 25 years of experience as an environmental resource specialist with a
focus on water quality, environmental planning, and permitting. Prior to joining
DJ&A, Myla served as the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Water
Quality Standards and Modeling Manager for seven years, developing significant
knowledge of the Montana Clean Water Act, Federal Clean Water Act, and other
relevant state and federal laws. With DJ&A, Myla has managed several environmental planning
projects, including multiple CWPP updates in Montana. Her demonstrated expertise in managing
complex environmental planning projects makes her an invaluable asset for projects like this. Myla
lives in Bozeman and would be our lead facilitator for Work Sessions and public meetings.
Josh Elliott | Project Manager | DJ&A
Josh has over 3 years of experience as an environmental resource specialist and
project manager with a focus on natural resource law and policy. Josh has
managed multiple environmental planning projects including two CWPP updates
for Montana counties; one of which is complete, and the other is nearing
completion. He specializes in and enjoys facilitating group processes related to
addressing natural resource challenges. Prior to joining DJ&A, Josh spent 12 years as a
geotechnical engineer where he developed and fine-tuned his project management skills. His
responsiveness, attention to detail, and ability to see the big picture help him excel as a project
manager. Josh’s demonstrated expertise in managing diverse interdisciplinary teams makes him
an invaluable asset for projects like this. Josh lives in Missoula and would manage all aspects of
this project.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
5 | Page
Hannah Kuhns | Environmental Scientist | DJ&A
Hannah has 10 years of progressive experience in natural resource management
across the United States. Her formal training and education are in community
ecology and invasive species management. She is skilled in adaptive management
practices and is familiar with the process of data collection and inventory methods
to inform data driven decision processes to recommend management direction,
with a focus on monitoring and process revision to ensure planning success. As an
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, Hannah is familiar with tree industry
standards, has completed tree inventory and risk assessments, and worked at the intersection of
utility rights of way and vegetation management. She is a skilled technical writer and contributes
as primary author for planning projects, technical assessments, vegetation and botany specialist
reports for NEPA analysis, biological assessments, and discretionary grant applications. Hannah is
well versed in statistical analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and manipulating large datasets. She is also
a former Montana resident. Hannah will provide engagement and material development support
and compile material for updated Plan sections.
Eric Melson | Planner | DJ&A
Eric is a planner with 15 years of experience designing and facilitating public
engagement strategies for natural resource planning projects across the West. He
has guided core teams, governments, and agencies through complex public
engagement processes, building consensus and ensuring policy decisions align
with community needs. Eric has expertise in designing and implementing public
engagement strategies, project management, and natural resource policy. His background in
recreation planning provides a unique bridge between human use and environmental conservation,
helping communities understand how urban forests and green infrastructure enhance and support
healthy communities. Eric will provide high-level strategic guidance for this project to ensure a
sound public messaging and engagement strategy and that community needs drive all aspects of
the project.
Chris Peiffer | Director of Urban Forestry Strategy and Senior Advisor | PlanIT Geo
Chris provides expertise in project management, business development, technical
writing, and consultation in the areas of urban forest management and green
infrastructure planning. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Certified Urban
Forest Professional. Chris has an extensive background in strategic planning and
engaging stakeholders to develop impactful, long-term management plans for over
50 cities and counties across the country since 2016. He will provide innovative approaches,
problem-solving, and expert technical reviews for the project.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
6 | Page
Alex Hancock | Director of Urban Forestry Consulting and Senior Project Manager
| PlanIT Geo
Alex is an ISA Certified Arborist with a background in urban planning, urban forestry,
and sustainability. She is experienced in tree canopy cover analysis, climate action
planning, zoning and land use planning, and public policy. She leads the
development of Urban Forestry Plans for communities and is skilled at directing
the integration of urban forestry into sustainability planning for communities
through public engagement, staff consultations, policy analysis, specialized
recommendations, and plan development. Alex will serve as the strategic lead and technical
champion for the Plan update, advising project setup, driving policy and ordinance reviews, and
oversee each analysis and recommendation.
Matt Urmson | Urban Forestry Planner and Project Manager | PlanIT Geo
Matt has a background in forestry, horticulture, pest management, water-efficient
landscaping, and parks and recreation. He is an ISA Certified Arborist; a qualified
water efficient landscaper; and a certified operator in forestry, turf grass, and
industrial rights of way. Matt supports the urban forestry consulting services team
by creating urban forest management plans, tree pest and disease plans, tree
master lists, and planting plans that focus on water-efficient species. He is adept at assisting with
internal and external engagement and collaborating to provide efficient and thorough tree inventory
analyses. Matt will serve as the project manager for PlanIT Geo’s team, ensuring deliverables meet
City expectations and deadlines, guiding development of work plans, and lead data-driven research
and benchmarking efforts.
Table 1 Contact information for primary contacts
Primary
Contact Title Mailing Address Phone
Number Email Address
Myla Kelly
(DJ&A)
Senior Advisor
and Facilitator
220 West Lamme, Suite 1D
Bozeman, MT 59715
406.721.4320 myla.kelly@djanda.com
Josh Elliott
(DJ&A)
Project Manager 2000 Maple Street
Missoula, MT 59808
406.721.4320 josh.elliott@djanda.com
Chris Peiffer
(PlanIT Geo)
Senior Advisor PO Box 1334
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
833.873.3627 chrispeiffer@planitgeo.com
EXPERIENCE
We constructed our team to provide the perfect combination of local presence and knowledge and
technical expertise. Our team can update the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) with
excellence by using a focused team of natural resource professionals specializing in urban forestry,
planning, public engagement, facilitation, agency-stakeholder relations, GIS analysis, and project
management. Our collective experience is ideally suited for this project, as summarized below.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
7 | Page
URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING SCOPE AND
KNOWLEDGE
DJ&A has been working with Montana municipalities and agencies for over 50 years. This work
has included numerous local planning projects related to transportation, infrastructure, wildfire
protection, and environmental resources. DJ&A’s environmental team recently completed five
CWPPs for Montana counties (Ravalli, Butte-Silver Bow, Musselshell, Yellowstone, and Judith
Basin) and is actively working on two others (Blaine and Sanders). Our wildfire expertise and
understanding of issues in the wildland-urban interface will help us ensure that the UFMP
adequately considers community wildfire protection concerns. The overall planning, coordination,
and public engagement process used on these projects is very similar to what we have proposed
for this project, and the schedules and budgets are comparable. These similarities include:
• Helping the local agency build a core group of individuals (core team) who will help guide
the planning effort and ensure local knowledge and input is adequately incorporated into
the planning document;
• Identifying key stakeholders within the community;
• Facilitating well-organized core team meetings that efficiently use everyone’s time;
• Developing a public engagement plan, facilitating public meetings, and incorporating public
input into the planning document;
• Presenting complex data in a detailed and visually appealing manner, including geospatial
maps and user-friendly ArcGIS StoryMaps;
• Scheduling, coordinating, and managing the entire planning process to ensure the agency’s
needs are met and the final document is professional, technically accurate, and of high
quality.
We employ a streamlined delivery approach focused on frequent communication, early stakeholder
engagement, clear milestone planning, and adaptive coordination with local agencies. By
coordinating and maintaining consistent communication throughout the process, our team will
deliver this project in a timely manner while aligning with the City’s urban forestry goals.
We intimately understand the plan development and update process and set schedules that are
achievable while not rushing important processes related to public engagement and core team
input and review. We have presented a preliminary schedule as part of our proposal, and we
anticipate that this schedule will be discussed and updated during the project kickoff meeting.
PlanIT Geo will provide Geospatial Services and Urban Forestry Consulting services to support the
project team in the development of the updated UFMP. PlanIT Geo’s Geospatial Services
department has completed services for communities varying in size, ecoregion, and tree species
composition. Processes include remote sensing analysis, land cover classification, QA/QC,
prioritization analysis, tree equity analysis, and reporting. PlanIT Geo has mapped over 2.5 million
acres of urban tree canopy, helping each community understand their gray vs. green infrastructure,
locate and quantify specific canopy gains and losses by land use type, quantify the ecosystem
benefits provided, assess tree equity, and target planting spaces in the most suitable locations.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
8 | Page
Most recently, PlanIT Geo is now offering 60-cm resolution land cover data nationwide, off-the-
shelf, through advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). PlanIT Geo
has high-resolution data at 97% accuracy for tree canopy, impervious, and plant-able areas for
every city in the lower 48 states and Hawaii and Puerto Rico, as well as change analysis from 2011
(when using National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery). This data allows PlanIT Geo
to offer easily updated data at a higher frequency, using identical methodology each time.
In the past 9 years, PlanIT Geo’s Urban Forestry Consultants have managed or continue to manage
urban forest management/master plans, ordinance reviews and updates, and community forest
planning projects with budgets totaling over $2.3 million in services, engaging over 20,000
community residents of a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages, and interviewing
over 650 city staff representing over 200 departments. PlanIT Geo has completed urban forest
management/master plans, maintenance plans, risk tree plans, strategic planting plans, storm
response and mitigation plans, and canopy action plans for the public, private, and non-profit
sectors. To date, the PlanIT Geo team has 100% of all plans requiring adoption by City Council
adopted.
DATA VISUALIZATION
Our team understands the importance
of presenting data in ways that make it
easy for readers to understand the
most important points. Creative,
visually appealing graphics and charts
can do this far better than text alone.
Our team is experienced with
conveying complex data in this way.
We have templates for graphics
common in urban forest management
plans and have also included time for
staff with graphics expertise to develop
additional, project-specific data
visualizations (Figure 1).
Please refer to Appendix B for additional examples of data visualization for planning projects. For
an example of data visualization integration into a management plan, please refer to the City of
Wilsonville, Oregon UFMP, produced by PlanIT Geo.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
Yellowstone County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update
DJ&A updated the CWPP for Yellowstone County, Montana, the state’s most populous county. The
updated CWPP provides the community with a clear interpretation of wildfire risk throughout the
County, prioritizes areas for reduced wildfire risk, provides recommended measures to reduce
structural ignitability, and delineates the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The updated CWPP
Figure 1 Example Cost Summary Graphic
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
9 | Page
document enables the community to access federal funding intended to reduce wildfire risk and
streamlines federal projects within the WUI through the use of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) for
projects that align with criteria defined in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). DJ&A
facilitated core team meetings, led multiple public meetings, and coordinated closely with the core
team to ensure that the unique needs of the community were reflected within the CWPP while also
ensuring that federal and state requirements were met. Data from the 2020 Montana Wildfire Risk
Assessment (MWRA), developed by MT DNRC and Pyrologix, were used to evaluate and interpret
wildfire risk. DJ&A drafted the updated CWPP, obtained and incorporated core team and public
comments, and developed the final CWPP document. DJ&A also developed an ArcGIS StoryMap
for the project. During the project, the StoryMap served to keep the public informed of the planning
process and engagement opportunities. After the project, the StoryMap served to inform and
educate interested individuals about what they can do to help increase community wildfire
resilience. DJ&A submitted this project in 2025 to the American Council of Engineering Companies
of Montana in the category of Studies, Research, and Consulting and won top honors.
City of Wilsonville Urban Forestry Management Plan, Tree Inventory, and Canopy
Assessment
PlanIT Geo developed a UFMP for the City of Wilsonville, Oregon. The UFMP provided an integrated
approach to preserving, sustaining, diversifying, and regenerating Wilsonville’s urban forest into
the future. PlanIT Geo conducted extensive background research; analyzed existing data; provided
benchmarking research; organized City staff workshops and hosted virtual community meetings;
prepared and implemented public surveys, photo contests, and website content on Let’s Talk
Wilsonville!; and performed a systematic audit to inform goals, strategies, and actions. The UFMP
includes goals and objectives, inventory and assessment, strategies, implementation actions, and
monitoring, all of which were accomplished through strategic partnerships and community
outreach. The UFMP addresses the entire City as well as two special focus areas: Charbonneau
and Town Center. Recommendations in the UFMP address issues and topics specific to the urban
forest in these areas, such as the 800 mature northern red oaks in Charbonneau in various states
of health and their risk to infrastructure. Inventory of these trees provided a deeper understanding
of the issues and potential solutions. The UFMP provides recommendations derived from analysis
of the 2,400+ street tree inventory.
City of Westminster Urban Forest Management Plan
PlanIT Geo developed a comprehensive UFMP for the City of Westminster, Colorado. Analysis of
canopy and inventory data was conducted to inform internal stakeholder consultations and surveys
to identify shared priorities and challenges. External engagement with the community included
public meetings, focus group sessions, public surveys, and messaging campaigns. Finally,
strategies were developed to include programming, canopy goals, planting targets, risk
management, programmed pruning, removals, pest and disease management, ordinances, private
property tree protection incentives, emergency management, emerald ash borer strategies, and
funding strategies. Additionally, a severe weather response plan and an integrated pest
management strategy were prepared to support the UFMP.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
10 | Page
City of Missoula Phase 1 Urban Forest Management Planning Services
PlanIT Geo partnered with the City of Missoula, Montana to deliver a suite of strategic urban forest
planning services, including a comprehensive downtown tree inventory, benchmarking of
Missoula’s urban tree systems against peer cities, and integration of advanced tree system
concepts tailored for dense urban environments. By combining detailed analysis, stakeholder
engagement, and best practice research, the team produced actionable reports and
recommendations that informed city code updates, planting specifications, soil volume standards,
and integrated green infrastructure approaches, helping Missoula build a resilient, equitable, and
sustainable urban forest well-adapted for future growth.
Ravalli County Natural Resource Management Policy Update
DJ&A worked closely with the Ravalli County Commissioners and a core team of local
representatives to prepare an updated Natural Resource Management Policy (NRMP) for the
county. The NRMP will be used to guide commissioners in coordinating with federal and state land
managers within the county, primarily the Bitterroot National Forest, and responding to proposed
actions on these lands to ensure that local needs are adequately considered during planning
processes. DJ&A wrote several resource assessments, facilitated bi-weekly core team meetings to
coordinate the project and develop objectives and strategies for each resource, coordinated and
facilitated public meetings, administered a public survey, collected and reviewed public comments
on the draft plan, and wrote the NRMP. The updated NRMP incorporates input from the core team
and the public, is consistent with relevant laws and regulations, and will facilitate effective county
involvement in federal and state natural resource management decisions. DJ&A also created an
ArcGIS StoryMap for the project, which was regularly updated and used to keep the public informed
about the plan development process and how they could be involved.
Our team understands the key issues associated with these types of projects, and all key personnel
are committed to making this project a top priority. Our recent CWPP projects were all completed
on schedule and within budget alongside other time-sensitive project schedules, and we have the
knowledge, capacity, and staff to complete this project within the specified timeframe. We would
be happy to provide additional project-specific information upon request.
FIRM WORKLOAD
We are proud of our track record for successfully completing these types of planning projects on
schedule. By setting reasonable schedules at the outset that allow sufficient time for public
engagement, internal reviews, and external reviews in addition to the work directly associated with
inventory and document development, we set ourselves and the whole project team up for success.
In addition to the key staff identified in the Firm Profile section, we have a deep bench of staff who
are well qualified to assist with various project tasks as needed. As consultants with constantly
fluctuating workloads and demands, we cannot reasonably predict the exact workload of each key
staff member over the anticipated one-year duration of this project. However, we have over 50
years of experience managing and balancing our commitments. When we take on new work, we
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
11 | Page
fully commit to executing that work in accordance with our agreement, staying on schedule, and
producing the high-quality work products we are known for. Additionally, building a relationship
with the City of Bozeman beyond the context of this project is important to our firm, so we will
have added motivation to meet and exceed expectations. As identified in Table 2 below, the entire
team has ample time, resources, and availability to dedicate to the project and complete it within
the one-year timeframe.
Table 2 Current estimated workload projections for key staff members
Key Staff
Member Title Company Percent
Available Project Role
Myla Kelly Senior Advisor and
Facilitator
DJ&A 30% Meeting facilitation and community
engagement
Josh Elliott Project Manager DJ&A 40% Project management, community
engagement, and plan development
Hannah Kuhns Environmental Scientist DJ&A 40% Plan and material development
Eric Melson Planner DJ&A 30% Community engagement strategy and
public messaging
Chris Peiffer Senior Advisor PlanIT Geo 40% Technical reviews
Alex Hancock Policy and Senior
Consultant
PlanIT Geo 25% Planning and development integration
Matt Urmson Urban Forestry Planner PlanIT Geo 35% Data analysis, benchmarking research,
technical assessments
SCOPE OF SERVICES
A - PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND MEETINGS
Our approach to project management will ensure we deliver an effective and rewarding project
experience; maintain clear, consistent, and highly responsive communication; develop a clear
process for deliverable and milestone tracking; and effectively coordinate stakeholder and public
engagement. Every phase, from initial inventory to Plan development, will be actively managed to
ensure expectations are met on time and within budget, resulting in a seamless process for the
City.
Beginning with project initiation and continuing throughout the entirety of the project, our project
management team always places quality at the forefront, ensuring that all deliverables meet or
exceed our client’s expectations while remaining on time and within budget. Our clear
communication and organization will efficiently drive this process, and quality assurance by the
project manager and senior advisors will result in a comprehensive UFMP that is free from technical
or grammatical errors.
Accurate and up to date data will drive this project. File and data sharing protocols will be
established at the beginning of the project to ensure clear expectations that align with City protocols
and project needs.
Deliverables
• Work Plan
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
12 | Page
• Meeting Agendas
• Meeting Notes
• Meeting Materials, Presentations, and Visual Aids (as necessary)
Assumptions
• One project kickoff meeting; 1 hour
• Work Sessions and community meetings are included under Task G.
• Up to 4 additional hours of coordination meetings are estimated for this project and will
be scheduled as needed with appropriate parties.
• Any delays to the schedule incurred by the client will result in an equal extension to the
overall schedule for the project.
A1 Project Management
DJ&A’s project manager will coordinate the project team, ensuring effective communication among
City staff and board members, DJ&A staff, PlanIT Geo staff, and other key stakeholders. We will
develop a work plan and provide monthly schedule tracking, progress reporting, and upcoming
deliverable tracking to ensure the project stays on schedule and on budget. We will invoice monthly
based on the percentage complete of each task.
A2 Project Kickoff Meeting
A project kickoff meeting with the project team will be our opportunity to outline a refined scope,
schedule, and budget and discuss invoicing and quality control procedures for the project. Our
team will present a draft work plan and technical background information and clarify the UFMP
scope, confirming roles and next steps. We will also use this meeting to identify members of the
core team and other stakeholders, outline the UFMP signatory and adoption process, and discuss
public engagement strategies.
A3 Additional Coordination Meetings
Additional coordination meetings are estimated to be needed to facilitate collaboration among City
of Bozeman staff and other stakeholders involved in the UFMP update process. These meetings
will be scheduled as needed and will require varying levels of involvement from project staff
depending on situational needs. Up to four hours of additional coordination meeting time is
anticipated.
B - TREE INFRASTRUCTURE
Tree infrastructure data and analyses are critical components of the UFMP update. The team will
work with the City to obtain all relevant existing data in addition to conducting comprehensive
research on urban forestry and arboriculture related resources, leveraging regional and local
resources and Bozeman-specific datasets to identify key factors influencing the City’s tree
infrastructure.
To address information gaps, the team will develop and submit precise requests for information
and clarifications in a Request for Information Form, ensuring all relevant conditions, programs,
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
13 | Page
and policies are informed by the latest available information. Using the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree
City USA database and annual reports from over 3,800 communities, we will benchmark Bozeman’s
urban forestry metrics, such as management activities, budgets, and volunteer engagement,
against cities nationwide, statewide, within the county, and within proximity or with similar
population size. This comparative approach provides actionable insights, identifies Bozeman’s
strengths and gaps, and informs priority performance metrics for a robust, locally relevant Plan.
Deliverables
• Analysis Checklists (presented and discussed during Work Session 2)
• Tree Inventory Data Analysis (presented and discussed during Work Session 5)
• Tree Canopy Data Analysis (presented and discussed during Work Session 5)
• Annual and 10-Year Canopy Goal Models (presented and discussed during Work Session
5)
Assumptions
• All available datasets for the City’s tree inventory and associated metrics will be provided
by the City of Bozeman.
B1 Tree Inventory Data
The team will closely coordinate with the City to gather all tree inventories, canopy data, and other
relevant datasets to conduct a meaningful and comprehensive analysis of the City’s existing urban
forestry conditions. Before any major analysis, an analysis checklist will be completed in
consultation with the City to confirm that inventory and canopy analyses directly align with the
City’s expectations and the intended uses for the Plan. Analysis of tree inventory data will provide
baseline summaries that inform the canopy coverage analysis and will identify areas for future
management efforts.
B2 Tree Inventory Software
Data management recommendations will focus on leveraging the City’s existing GIS and asset
management systems, selecting platforms and designing workflows that streamline operations and
ensure accuracy.
As an optional scope item, we can provide the City with access to PlanIT Geo’s TreePlotter software.
This software, designed specifically for urban forestry applications, is designed to help cities
proactively keep their tree inventories up to date. Annual subscriptions run from about $5,500 to
$8,000 depending on the chosen modules and features. We can provide additional information and
are happy to discuss this software further upon request.
B3 Canopy Coverage
Our approach to tree inventory and canopy data analysis will produce baseline summaries, highlight
areas of opportunity, and identify gaps in equity or coverage essential for prioritizing future planting
and management efforts. Canopy goal setting relies on modeling tree population changes at
neighborhood and citywide scales, giving Bozeman clear metrics for annual planning and long-term
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
14 | Page
milestones. Ecosystem benefit analysis will use industry-leading tools like the U.S. Forest Service’s
i-Tree suite and PlanIT Geo’s TreePlotter CANOPY software to quantify the environmental, social,
and economic contributions of Bozeman’s trees to the City.
C - STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT
Ensuring that the City of Bozeman is staffed with the appropriate capacity is paramount to
maintaining the urban forest in alignment with updated Plan recommendations, City policy, and
operational context. Appropriate budgeting for contracting services will provide additional support
for the Foresty Division. The team will coordinate focused discussions, survey opportunities for
staff, and review existing policies to thoroughly assess the City’s current staffing and equipment
capacity.
Deliverables
• Staff survey summary report.
• All other work and recommendations associated with this task will be presented and
discussed during Work Sessions and documented in the Plan.
Assumptions
• The City will provide DJ&A with available staff, vehicle, equipment, and contract budgeting
information.
• The City will help identify all who should be present during Work Sessions covering the
topics under this task.
C1 In-house Staffing Assessment
DJ&A will coordinate with Bozeman’s Urban Parks and Forestry Board (the Board) during regularly
scheduled Work Sessions (see G3 Work Sessions). One of these sessions will focus on
understanding the City’s current staffing levels, as well as their thoughts on staffing-level adequacy.
Prior to this meeting, we would coordinate with the Board to ensure that anyone else with topic-
specific information who should be at the meeting is available and able to attend. We will thoroughly
document existing staffing conditions and any other relevant information brought up by meeting
participants. Staff surveys will be used to support this discussion and gather baseline qualitative
data from which to develop recommendations based on anticipated needs.
Later in the planning process, once the updated UFMP is sufficiently formed, DJ&A and PlanIT Geo
will evaluate existing staffing levels relative to anticipated needs under the updated UFMP.
C2 In-house Vehicles and Equipment Assessment
DJ&A will coordinate with the Board during regularly scheduled Work Sessions (see G3 Work
Sessions). One of these sessions will focus on understanding the City’s current fleet and equipment
inventory, as well as their thoughts on the adequacy of this inventory. Prior to this meeting, we
would coordinate with the Board to ensure that anyone else with topic-specific information who
should be at the meeting is available and able to attend. We will thoroughly document existing
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
15 | Page
vehicle and equipment levels and any other relevant information brought up by meeting
participants.
Later in the planning process, once the updated UFMP is sufficiently formed, DJ&A and PlanIT Geo
will evaluate existing inventories relative to anticipated needs under the updated UFMP.
C3 Contracting Services Budgeting Assessment
DJ&A will coordinate with the Board during regularly scheduled work sessions (see G3 Work
Sessions). One of these sessions will focus on understanding the City’s current budget for
contracting services associated with tree maintenance, as well as their thoughts on the adequacy
of this budget. Prior to this meeting, we would coordinate with the Board to ensure that anyone
else with topic-specific information who should be at the meeting is available and able to attend.
We will also ask questions to gain an understanding of the desired breakdown between in-house
and contracted services, as the assessments in Tasks C1, C2, and C3 are all interrelated. Further,
Task C1, C2, and C3 provide a baseline of feasible objectives to better align maintenance
recommendations, Task C4, with the City’s goals and capacity while balancing staffing and budget
availability. We will thoroughly document current budget levels and other relevant information
brought up by meeting participants.
Later in the planning process, once the updated UFMP is sufficiently formed, DJ&A and PlanIT Geo
will evaluate existing budgets relative to anticipated needs under the updated UFMP. Funding and
budget strategies will be supported with examples from similar cities, covering grants,
partnerships, and cost modeling. The strategies will be based on the current capacity as well as
incremental improvements in funding to support the long-term goals of the Plan while anticipating
growing demands and future challenges facing trees. By combining benchmarking with tailored
reviews, we will provide realistic staffing and budging recommendations that fit Bozeman’s
operational context.
C4 Maintenance Recommendations
Our team will provide maintenance recommendations that are site-specific, actionable, and
supported by local datasets, industry standards and best practices, Bozeman’s needs, and
innovative approaches. The team will analyze the tree inventory and staff consultation summaries
to determine optimal schedules for planting, pruning, and removals tailored to Bozeman’s
neighborhoods, climate, trees, and resources. Staff surveys and consultation will focus on existing
maintenance operations, specifications, protocols, and standard operating procedures, with
findings synthesized to recommend improvements aligned with Bozeman’s goals and the Plan.
D - PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATION
Part of the UFMP update process will be to coordinate the UFMP with existing local planning and
development codes and standards, integrating the updated Plan with current policies, processes,
programs, and departments. Specific integration efforts included in our proposal are detailed below.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
16 | Page
Deliverables
• None. Conclusions and recommendations resulting from this task and its subtasks will be
incorporated into the Plan. No separate deliverables are anticipated.
Assumptions
• UFMP integration components will be limited to those explicitly considered below.
Additional planning and development integration components may require that we adjust
our scope and costs accordingly.
D1 Third Party Tree Installation Approval
During staffing and equipment assessments, our team will review the City’s current review process
for third party tree installations and approval, identify areas for improved efficiency, and provide
recommendations for approval processes that fit into the larger framework of the City’s
management goals for sustainable urban forest management and growth.
D2 Tree Protection Zones
During staffing and equipment assessments, our team will use feedback on processes to develop
a checklist for the Forestry Division to employ when working with contractors on construction sites
where trees may be impacted. Tree Protection Zones (TPZs) are an important best management
practice to protect individual trees, maintain trees properly, and reduce long-term tree maintenance
and replacement costs. Based on current practices regarding construction activities in the City of
Bozeman, the checklist will provide an additional layer of protection for Bozeman’s urban forest and
assist the Forestry Division with streamlining the process for reviewing and approving TPZs for
public trees.
D3 Interdepartmental Collaboration
Staffing and equipment assessments will be crucial for identifying areas of potential
interdepartmental collaboration needs to better support maintenance, care, and planting efforts for
public trees. Our team will ensure that Work Sessions include focused discussions concerning the
strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement with respect to interdepartmental
collaboration. After gathering pertinent information, our team will develop recommendations for
improved collaboration based on the City’s unique situation and practices that have worked well for
similarly situated communities.
D4 Private Property Development
Review of current and proposed incentives, enforcement procedures, and staffing will contribute
to recommendations that help preserve and grow healthy canopy cover, including on private
property. We will use examples from other UFMPs to help the City consider and decide where
private property codes and policies should land on the incentivize-require spectrum. Outreach and
education efforts (see E - Community Engagement) will focus on helping private property owners
understand the benefits of a healthy urban forest and the local codes and policies that pertain to
trees located on private property.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
17 | Page
D5 Heritage Tree Program
Heritage trees have historical, cultural, biological, or ecological significance because of age, size,
or condition. Heritage tree programs are an integral part of a holistic urban forestry management
plan. Tree inventory analysis and examination of model program frameworks will provide a robust
foundation for the development and recognition of the City’s Heritage Tree Program. Our team will
develop a Heritage Tree Program, which will include requirements for qualification of a heritage
tree; outline regulations associated with designated heritage trees; and provide standard practices
for documentation, inventory, and maintenance of heritage trees.
D6 Policy Recommendations
Our team will provide a focused, practical review and improvement strategy for the City’s urban
forestry ordinances, policies, and protocols. We will analyze the City’s codes and policies using
local records, compare them to national urban forestry best practices, local and regional innovation,
and recommend targeted updates referencing Bozeman’s specific tree data and regulations.
E - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
DJ&A has coordinated public engagement processes for numerous planning projects and has
experience balancing public engagement with technical expertise. We will use traditional and new
media platforms, as well as virtual and in-person meetings and forums, to engage and involve
residents, business owners, and other stakeholders in this project. To inform City residents of the
UFMP update process and public involvement opportunities, we will develop the content necessary
to employ multiple outreach methods including flyers, social media posts, and direct mailers. We
will also develop and maintain an ArcGIS StoryMap that explains the process and informs members
of the public about ways they can get involved. The StoryMap will be easily referenced or linked in
other outreach materials, including through the use of a QR code.
Community engagement beyond the duration of the project will include volunteer initiatives and
ongoing outreach and education. Scope items related to these two efforts are described below,
and the resulting strategies and recommendations will be included in the UFMP.
Deliverables
• ArcGIS StoryMap
• Draft Community Engagement Plan
• Final Community Engagement Plan
• Volunteer Initiative Assessment and Recommendations (included in UFMP)
• Outreach and Education Assessment and Recommendations (included in UFMP)
Assumptions
• DJ&A will develop the content for advertising materials, and the City will be responsible
for any associated printing, posting, mailing, and other distribution.
• The City will host the StoryMap site, or DJ&A can host the site during the project and for
a period of up to one year after project completion.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
18 | Page
E1 Community Engagement Plan
DJ&A will coordinate with the City to structure a thoughtful and inclusive community engagement
process that aligns with the City’s objectives and project milestones for the UFMP. The core of the
engagement process is the Community Engagement Plan (CEP), which will outline both internal
and external engagement processes, provide structure for discussion points to ensure that all plan
components are addressed and tailored to the local community, and drive planning strategies that
serve Bozeman for years to come.
Our proposal identifies the general structure and number of public meetings that we anticipate.
These details and more would be further described in the CEP. If the assumptions in our proposal
vary from what is ultimately included in the CEP, we may need to revise our costs accordingly.
E2 Volunteer Initiatives
Through Work Sessions and the community engagement process, we will develop an
understanding of the City’s current volunteer initiatives and solicit ideas for additional volunteer
opportunities. Our team will compile a comprehensive list of volunteer activities identified in this
manner and compare these initiatives to others we think might work well for Bozeman. We will then
work closely with the Board to turn the comprehensive list into an actionable plan that aligns with
the City’s objectives and supports the Foresty Division’s work. This ties closely to outreach and
education efforts, which will be identified through the community engagement process and
incorporated into the Plan.
E3 Outreach and Education
Beyond the UFMP update process, ongoing outreach and education efforts by the Forestry Division
will be an important part of Plan success. Bozeman property owners and managers have a role to
play in reaching urban forestry goals, and effectively communicating that role to the public will
require a focused, intentional strategy. Our team will work with the City to identify similar efforts
that have worked well in the community and design an outreach and education strategy that applies
proven, effective concepts to Bozeman’s urban forestry goals and objectives. By the end of the
UFMP update process, the City will be well equipped to sustainably expand outreach efforts to
inform community members about the benefits of urban forestry planning and what they can do to
help the City reach its goals.
F - INSECT, DISEASE, AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
In developing tree risk management strategies, the team will use inventory, canopy, and historical
records to guide monitoring, mitigation, and recovery planning for emergencies and hazards
including hardscape conflicts, wildfire, and other disaster scenarios.
The team will develop a vulnerability assessment to inform canopy coverage goals, combining
climate and risk tools with research to assess risks to the City’s trees and canopy from climate
change, soil constraints, and utility impacts. Notably, a “Sister Climate City” will be identified to
forecast how Bozeman’s climate may shift over the next 60 years, empowering recommendations
for introducing more resilient tree species as informed by research and inventory analysis.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
19 | Page
Findings, methods, and interpretations will be summarized for use in public messaging and
integration into the Plan. The vulnerability assessment will set the baseline for recommendations
regarding insect, disease, and disaster preparedness.
Deliverables
• Vulnerability Assessment (included in UFMP)
• Emerald Ash Borer Recommendations (included in UFMP)
• Climate Resilience Recommendations (included in UFMP)
Assumptions
• In addition to common and foreseeable insect and disease issues, disaster preparedness
scenarios will include up to three additional considerations (e.g., wildfire, wind event, etc.)
F1 Emerald Ash Borer
Emeral ash borer (EAB) management recommendations will be developed based on risk
interpretations using local and state data; identifying regional resources and examples for
monitoring, treatment and public messaging; and linking strategies from the identified “Sister
Climate City,” as appropriate, to aid in forecasting EAB best management practices. A description
of the EAB threat and a list of recommendations specific to EAB will be included in the Plan.
F2 Climate Change Impacts
We will use the same “Sister Climate City” concept to help illustrate anticipated climate impacts to
Bozeman’s urban forest. We will provide climate resilience recommendations based on local and
regional trends and will detail resilient tree species, appropriate water and soil management
protocols, and other factors that ensure the urban forest thrives in a changing landscape.
G - PLAN DEVELOPMENT DETAILS
Productive collaboration hinges on strong stakeholder relationships, which are critical to a robust
public engagement process as well as successful implementation of the UFMP. DJ&A’s trained
facilitators understand the importance of ensuring the right participants are at the table and
providing a collaborative setting to result in a robust planning effort that balances all voices. Our
experience working with counties to develop and update planning documents supports our ability
to encourage diverse groups to find common areas of agreement. The development and
maintenance of those relationships will be an important component of all meetings and will help
ensure that the process and final product are collaboratively developed.
Deliverables
• Meeting Agendas and Notes
• Meeting Materials, Presentations, Visual Aids (as necessary)
• Public Survey Administration and Summary Report
• Draft UFMP Public Comment Summary Report
• Outline, Preliminary Draft, Draft, and Final UFMP (Word and PDF formats)
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
20 | Page
Assumptions
• 1 In-Person Community Meeting; 2 hours
• 1 Virtual Community Meeting; 2 hours
• 2 In-Person Work Sessions with Bozeman’s Urban Parks and Forestry Board; 1 hour each
• 7 Virtual Work Sessions with Bozeman’s Urban Parks and Forestry Board; 1 hour each
• Work Sessions occurring during the regularly scheduled 2-hour Urban Parks and Forestry
Board monthly meetings will occupy up to 1 hour of that time
• Up to 2 In-Person Special Presentations to the Bozeman City Commission; 1 hour each
• Any delays to the schedule incurred by the client will result in an equal extension to the
overall schedule for the project
• In-person meetings (Community Meetings and Work Sessions) will be held at locations
identified and secured by the City at no cost to DJ&A.
• Virtual meetings will be coordinated and facilitated by DJ&A using Microsoft Teams.
G1 Arboriculture Review
Our team has several ISA Certified Arborists on staff who will ensure that the latest national trends
and industry standards and specifications are incorporated into the updated Plan. Driven by the
tree infrastructure and canopy data analyses (see B - Tree Infrastructure) while incorporating
community input and local conditions, we will provide a comprehensive updated Plan to the City
that will enable Bozeman to effectively and efficiently implement proactive urban forest
management.
G2 Community Meetings
Community (or public) meetings are integral to the planning process as they engage and inform
stakeholders and provide a space for discussion and feedback. Collaborating with a wide diversity
of community members and stakeholders is critical to effectively updating the UFMP in a way that
reflects the values, concerns, and priorities of the community. DJ&A will work with the City to
ensure all discussions capture the breadth of opinions and ideas while providing a record of this
input and incorporation. Meeting materials, presentations, and visual aids will be developed to
support these discussions and relay key information. Our team has extensive experience
developing public outreach materials in support of planning document development and associated
public comment processes. Meeting notes will capture key decision points and will include action
tracking and tangible metrics to achieve implementation actions. To promote public engagement
and obtain valuable public input on the UFMP, we propose:
• One in-person community meeting (open house), to be held early in the process, after
background data has been collected. The purpose of this meeting will be to explain the
UFMP update process, solicit input on what community members think is important, and
initiate a 3-week public survey to gather additional information on public thoughts and
perspectives regarding urban forestry issues in Bozeman.
• One virtual community meeting to introduce the draft plan, explain how it can be
accessed, and initiate a 30-day public comment period. Each public meeting would be up
to two (2) hours in length.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
21 | Page
G3 Work Sessions
Work Sessions will be held regularly throughout the project to facilitate consistent and timely
progress. We recommend that Work Sessions include not just the Urban Parks and Forestry Board,
but other staff and knowledgeable community members with subject matter expertise. We typically
refer to such groups as a “core team” and are prepared to help the City identify core team members,
aiming for a dedicated group of around 12 people.
Each Work Session will be focused on one or two particular topics and objectives relevant to the
development of the UFMP and is anticipated to last up to one (1) hour in length. We have anticipated
the need for nine (9) Work Sessions throughout the project and assume meetings will be more
frequent at the beginning of the project. Given the anticipated need for Work Sessions to be more
frequent than monthly during the first half of the project, we would like to discuss the possibility of
meeting outside of the Board’s monthly scheduled meetings. Our proposed schedule includes our
recommended timing for these meetings.
We have found that some in-person meetings are important for local agency and core team
relationships and provide additional value. We also recognize that in-person meetings are more
costly, so our proposal reflects a balance of in-person and virtual meetings. We anticipate that two
(2) of the nine (9) Work Sessions will occur in person. It is assumed that in-person meeting venues
and necessary equipment for virtual participation will be provided by the City, and that DJ&A will
facilitate each Work Session. DJ&A’s responsibilities for these meetings would also encompass all
facilitation-related activities such as agendas, meeting notes, visual aids, and meeting materials.
G4 Special Presentation to the Bozeman City Commission
Our team will present the final UFMP to the Bozeman City Commission for final adoption during
one of its regularly scheduled Tuesday evening meetings. If necessary, we are prepared to attend
a second meeting to finish the presentation. Up to two (2) DJ&A staff would attend these meetings
in person and be the primary presenters, with virtual support from PlanIT Geo staff.
G5 Plan Development
Draft and Final UFMP development will be an evolving process throughout the duration of the one-
year project timeframe, during which the previous scope items will directly contribute to a
comprehensive updated planning document.
Early in the process, our team will prepare a detailed outline for review and approval of the core
team. Our schedule includes developing a preliminary draft for core team review and approval.
After incorporating core team comments, we would prepare a draft UFMP for public review and
comment. The core team would then meet to discuss substantive public comments, and DJ&A
would prepare a final UFMP to present to the Bozeman City Commission for adoption.
DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Our team will ensure the project remains on schedule through consistent and clear communication
regarding deadlines and responsibilities. We will report progress regularly through frequent check-
in meetings, allowing for clear and documented progress tracking throughout the project. Table 3
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
22 | Page
provides a proposed project schedule including meetings and project milestones. We plan to update
and add details to the schedule following a kickoff meeting with the City.
Table 3 Proposed Project Schedule
Deliverables – Meetings - Milestones Approximate Dates
Contract Award/Project Initiation December 12, 2025
Virtual Project Kick-off Meeting January 6, 2026
Work Session 1 of 9 (Virtual)
► UFMP Overview and Identification of Key Stakeholders
► Data Gathering and File Sharing
January 22, 2026
Community Engagement Plan December 12, 2025 – February 6, 2026
City of Bozeman Review of Community Engagement Plan February 9, 2026 – February 20, 2026
Work Session 2 of 9 (Virtual)
► Existing Conditions, Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
► Review Analysis Checklists
February 12, 2026
Work Session 3 of 9 (In-Person)
► Staffing, Equipment, and Budget Assessment
February 26, 2026
Work Session 4 of 9 (Virtual)
► Policy and Code Assessment
March 12, 2206
Complete draft UFMP Outline April 3, 2026
City of Bozeman Review of UFMP Outline April 6, 2026 – April 17, 2026
In-Person Public Meeting
► Background Information, Call for Engagement
► Initiate Public Survey
April 9, 2026
Public Survey Period April 9, 2026 – April 30, 2026
Work Session 5 of 9 (Virtual)
► Review Tree Inventory and Canopy Cover Data Analyses
► Review Projected Canopy Goals
April 23, 2026
Work Session 6 of 9 (Virtual)
► Review Planning and Development Integration Components
► Review Tree Maintenance Schedules
May 7, 2026
Work Session 7 of 9 (In-Person)
► Insect, Disease, and Disaster Preparedness
May 28, 2026
Preliminary Draft UFMP April 20, 2026 – July 8, 2025
City of Bozeman Review of Preliminary Draft UFMP July 8, 2026 – July 22, 2025
Work Session 8 of 9 (Virtual)
► Review Preliminary Draft UFMP
July 23, 2026
DJ&A Revisions – Complete Draft UFMP July 24, 2026 – August 7, 2026
Virtual Public Meeting: Present Draft UFMP August 10, 2026
Public Comment Period August 10, 2026 – September 8, 2026
DJ&A Review Comments, Revise Draft UFMP September 14, 2026 – September 24, 2026
Work Session 9 of 9 (Virtual)
► Discuss Comments and Revisions
► Prep for City Commission Presentation
September 24, 2026
Final UFMP October 9, 2026
Presentation to City Commission November 3, 2026
November 10, 2026 (if necessary)
City Resolutions to Adopt the UFMP December 1, 2026
Project Completion December 31, 2026
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
23 | Page
REFERENCES
REFERENCE #1
Yellowstone County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update
Contact Person, Phone, and Email: Derek Yeager (Department of Emergency Services Director,
Yellowstone County), (406) 208-0506, dyeager@yellowstonecountymt.gov
Description of Services: DJ&A worked closely with Yellowstone County, Montana to update their
CWPP. DJ&A’s work included helping the county select a team of local individuals to guide the
process (core team), facilitating regular core team meetings, evaluating wildfire risk, developing a
public engagement plan and facilitating multiple public engagement meetings, developing and
maintaining a StoryMap, and developing the updated CWPP document. Refer to the Experience
section for a more detailed description of this project.
Project Dates: September 2024 – July 2025
REFERENCE #2
Ravalli County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update and Natural Resource
Management Policy Update
Contact Person, Phone, and Email: Jeff Burrows (County Commissioner), (406) 375-6503,
jburrows@rc.mt.gov
Description of Services: DJ&A worked closely with Ravalli County, Montana to update their CWPP.
DJ&A’s work included helping the county select a team of local individuals to guide the process
(core team), facilitating regular core team meetings, evaluating wildfire risk, developing a public
engagement plan and facilitating multiple public engagement meetings, developing and maintaining
a StoryMap, and developing the updated CWPP document.
Based on DJ&A’s success with the CWPP process, the county requested our services for updating
their natural resource management policy (NRMP). We employed a similar core team and public
engagement strategy, included a StoryMap, added a public survey component, assessed numerous
natural resources, and developed the updated NRMP. Refer to the Experience section for a more
detailed description of this project.
Project Dates: January 2023 – January 2024 (CWPP); September 2024 – August 2025 (NRMP)
REFERENCE #3
City of Wilsonville Urban Forestry Management Plan, Tree Inventory, and Canopy
Assessment
Contact Person, Phone, and Email: Kerry Rappold (Natural Resources Program Manager), (503)
570-1570, rappold@ci.wilsonville.orus
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
24 | Page
Description of Services: PlanIT Geo developed a UFMP for the City of Wilsonville Oregon,
completed a tree inventory, and performed a canopy assessment. The UFMP provides an integrated
approach to preserving, sustaining, diversifying, and regenerating Wilsonville’s urban forest. To
complete these objectives, the project consisted of executive research, City staff workshops,
existing data analyses, benchmarking research, virtual community meetings, public surveys, photo
contests, website content to inform goals strategies, and actions. Refer to the Experience section
for a more detailed description of this project.
Project Dates: April 2020 – December 2021
REFERENCE #4
City of Westminster Urban Forest Management Plan
Contact Person, Phone, and Email: Bryan McCoy (City Forester), (303) 658-2287,
bmccoy@cityofwestminster.us
Description of Services: PlanIT Geo developed a comprehensive UFMP for the City of Westminster,
Colorado through analysis of canopy and inventory data in concert with internal and external
engagement processes to identify shared priorities and challenges. In addition to a detailed and
actionable UFMP, PlanIT Geo developed a severe weather response plan and an integrated pest
management strategy to support the Plan. Refer to the Experience section for a more detailed
description of this project.
Project Dates: February 2023 – May 2024
DJ&A has completed many other planning projects across Montana, and PlanIT Geo has completed
numerous other UFMPs in Montana, the U.S., and the world. We would be happy to provide
additional references upon request.
AFFIRMATION OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL
PAY
Please see Appendix C for the signed Nondiscrimination and Equal Pay Affirmation.
ADDITIONAL ASSUMPTIONS
Aside from the assumptions mentioned in our Scope of Services, our cost estimate is based on
the following additional assumptions. If any of our assumptions are incorrect, please advise us of
any clarifications so we may revise our costs.
• Any delays to the proposed timeline throughout the project would result in uniform
extension of other timelines and/or deliverables.
• All relevant GIS data and reports currently possessed by the City will be provided to DJ&A
within one week of the kick-off meeting.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
25 | Page
• Our analyses will be based on existing data that is explicitly mentioned in this proposal or
otherwise readily available. If additional data not explicitly included in this proposal is
needed, this may result in changes to our schedule and budget.
• There will be one round of comments on all draft deliverables.
• A review and any corrections of the final UFMP by the City would be limited to editorial
edits. While we don’t anticipate a change in the project at this stage, if additional data or
information arises during that timeframe that results in substantive changes, we would be
happy to provide assistance and an estimate of time and cost for completing that work.
• It is assumed that the Plan will not require any permits or consultation not explicitly
mentioned in this proposal.
• All deliverables, with the exception of public meeting materials identified above, will be in
electronic format.
BUDGET
Our fixed fee cost estimate to complete the UFMP update and all associated tasks described herein
is summarized in Table 4.
Table 4 Project Cost Summary
Task Description DJ&A PlanIT Geo Total
A Project Management $9,736.00 $2,392.50 $12,128.50
B Tree Infrastructure $3,112.00 $13,200.00 $16,312.00
C Staffing and Equipment $4,992.00 $7,040.00 $12,032.00
D Planning and Development Integration $7,328.00 $9,675.00 $17,003.00
E Community Engagement $11,804.00 $1,485.00 $13,289.00
F
Insect, Disease, and Disaster
Preparedness $2,670.00 $7,485.00 $10,155.00
G Plan Development Details $32,001.00 $17,022.50 $49,023.50
Totals $71,643.00 $58,300.00 $129,943.00
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
A-1 | Page
APPENDIX A
RESUMES OF KEY PERSONNEL
Flathead Basin Commission
agencies.
Musselshell County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager
DJ&A updated the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Musselshell County.
The updated CWPP provides the community with a clear interpretation of wildfire risk
throughout the county, prioritizes areas for reducing wildfire risk, provides recommended
measures to reduce structural ignitability, and delineates the Wildland Urban Interface
(WUI). The updated CWPP document enables communities to access federal funding
intended to reduce wildfire risk and streamline federal projects within the WUI through
the use of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) for projects that align with criteria defined in the
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). DJ&A facilitated core team meetings,
led public meetings, wrote the CWPP, incorporated public feedback, and coordinated
closely with the core team to ensure that the unique needs of the community were
reflected in the CWPP while ensuring that federal and state requirements were met. Data
from the Montana Wildfire Risk Assessment (MWRA) from the MT DNRC and Pyrologix
was used to evaluate and interpret wildfire risk. Myla managed all aspects of this project
and coordinated with the core team and stakeholders.
Butte-Silver Bow County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager
DJ&A collaborated with Butte-Silver Bow County and other local partners to prepare an
updated CWPP. The updated CWPP will help the community plan for, respond to, and
recover from wildfire events. DJ&A’s roles and responsibilities included preparing an
updated WUI and risk assessment; coordinating with the County, USFS, MT DNRC, and
other local partners; facilitating public outreach; and writing the updated plan. Key
features of the updated CWPP include recommendations to reduce structural ignitibility,
an updated WUI and prioritization heat map, and an updated implementation action table
with ongoing and proposed projects. Myla managed all aspects of this project and
coordinated with the core team and stakeholders.
Ravalli County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager / Specialist
DJ&A worked with Ravalli County and other local partners to update the Ravalli County
Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The updated CWPP will help Ravalli County work
towards becoming a fire adapted community. DJ&A’s roles and responsibilities included
preparing an updated WUI and prioritized risk assessment using innovative spatial
techniques. DJ&A also facilitated the collaborative and public outreach processes
between local partners including MT DNRC, Ravalli County, USFS, and Fire in the Root,
a local collaborative group. Public outreach efforts included an innovative ArcGIS
StoryMap and public meetings located strategically throughout the county to ensure
maximum stakeholder engagement. Key features of the updated CWPP include
recommendations to reduce structural ignitibility, an updated WUI and prioritization heat
map, and an updated implementation action table with ongoing and proposed projects.
Myla assisted with strategic direction and provided draft and final report review.
MYLA KELLY – SENIOR ADVISOR AND FACILITATOR
Myla has 25 years of experience as an Environmental Science Specialist with a focus on
water quality. Prior to joining DJ&A, Myla served as the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality’s (MT DEQ) Water Quality Standards and Modeling Manager for
seven years and has significant knowledge of the Montana Clean Water Act, Federal Clean
Water Act, and other relevant state and federal laws.
EDUCATION
MS – Forestry - Resource
Conservation
University of Montana
BS – Biology
Tufts University
TRAINING
HAZWOPER Certification 2023
MSHA Certification 2023
EXPERIENCE
2022-Present: DJ&A, PC
(Bozeman, MT)
2015-2022: Montana DEQ Water
Quality Division (Helena, MT)
2009-2015: MSU Extension,
Montana State University
(Bozeman, MT)
2000-2005: Confluence Consulting,
(Bozeman, MT) and Envirovision
Corporation (Olympia, WA)
1998-2000: Northwest Indian
Fisheries Commission (Olympia,
WA)
1997-2002: University of Montana,
Wild Rockies Field Institute
(Missoula, MT)
JOSH ELLIOTT, PE – PROJECT MANAGER
Josh has three years of experience working on natural resource management projects
across the United States and 12 years of experience managing geotechnical engineering
projects. His expertise includes project planning, NEPA documentation, technical writing,
project coordination, and a comprehensive understanding of federal environmental laws and
associated regulations. At DJ&A, Josh is able to draw from his natural resource policy and
engineering experience to effectively coordinate and facilitate a wide variety of planning,
environmental, and engineering projects.
Judith Basin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager
DJ&A updated the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Judith Basin County. The
updated CWPP provides the community with a clear interpretation of wildfire risk throughout
the county, prioritizes areas for reducing wildfire risk, provides recommended measures to
reduce structural ignitability, and delineates the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The updated
CWPP document enables communities to access federal funding intended to reduce wildfire
risk and streamline federal projects within the WUI through the use of Categorical Exclusions
(CEs) for projects that align with criteria defined in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 (HFRA). DJ&A facilitated core team meetings, lead public meetings, wrote the CWPP,
incorporated public feedback, and coordinated closely with the core team to ensure that the
unique needs of the community were reflected in the CWPP while ensuring that federal and
state requirements were met. Data from the Montana Wildfire Risk Assessment (MWRA)
from the MT DNRC and Pyrologix was used to evaluate and interpret wildfire risk. Josh was
responsible for facilitating meetings and managing all aspects of this project.
Blaine County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager
DJ&A is updating a CWPP for Blaine County. The updated CWPP will provide the community
with a clear interpretation of wildfire risk throughout the county, prioritize areas for reducing
wildfire risk, provide recommended measures to reduce structural ignitability, and delineate
the WUI. The updated CWPP document enables communities to access federal funding
intended to reduce wildfire risk and streamline federal projects within the WUI through the
use of CEs for projects that align with criteria defined in the HFRA. DJ&A facilitated core
team meetings, lead public meetings, wrote the CWPP, incorporated public feedback, and
coordinated closely with the core team to ensure that the unique needs of the community
were reflected in the CWPP while ensuring that federal and state requirements were met.
Data from the MWRA from the MT DNRC and Pyrologix were used to evaluate and interpret
wildfire risk. The final CWPP has been submitted to the county and is awaiting final review
and approval. Josh was responsible for facilitating meetings and managing all aspects of this
project.
Ravalli County Natural Resource Management Policy Update (MT)
Role: Project Manager
DJ&A worked closely with the Ravalli County Commissioners and a core team to prepare an
updated Natural Resource Management Policy (NRMP) for the county. The NRMP will be
used to guide commissioners in coordinating with federal and state land managers within
the county, primarily the Bitterroot National Forest, and responding to proposed actions on
these lands to ensure that local needs are adequately considered during federal planning
processes. DJ&A wrote resource assessments, facilitated bi-weekly core team meetings to
coordinate the project and develop objectives and strategies for each resource, facilitated
public meetings, administered a public survey, and wrote the NRMP. The updated NRMP will
incorporate input from the core team and the public, is consistent with relevant laws and
regulations, and facilitates effective county involvement in federal and state natural resource
management decisions. Josh managed all aspects of this project.
EDUCATION
MS – Resource Conservation
University of Montana
MS – Civil Engineering
University of Colorado
MBA
Oregon State University
BS - Civil Engineering
Oregon State University
REGISTRATIONS
Professional Engineer: CA, CO, MT, NV,
WA
TRAINING
Northwest Environmental Training
Center – Advanced NEPA, 2024
Shipley Group – Clear Writing for NEPA
Practitioners, 2023
First Aid and CPR, 2023
EXPERIENCE
2022-present: DJ&A, PC (Missoula, MT)
2022 Spring: Consultant for Natural
Resources Defense Council (Bozeman,
MT)
2021 Summer-Fall: Consultant for
National Wildlife Federation (Missoula,
MT)
2016-2019: Holdrege & Kull / NV5
(Truckee, CA)
2012-2014: Landau Associates
(Tacoma, WA)
2011-2012: Icicle Creek Engineers
(Carnation, WA)
2009-2011: National Outdoor
Leadership School (Lander, WY)
2006-2009: Golder Associates
(Lakewood, CO)
2003-2004: United States Forest Service
(Redding, CA)
HANNAH KUHNS – ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Hannah has 10 years of progressive experience in natural resource management across the
United States. She is skilled in adaptive management and experienced with data collection
and inventory methods to inform data driven decision processes and recommend
management direction, with a focus on monitoring and revision to ensure planning success.
As a Certified Arborist, Hannah is familiar with tree industry standards, has completed tree
inventory and risk assessments, and worked at the intersection of utility rights of way and
vegetation management. She is a skilled technical writer and contributes as primary author
for planning projects, technical assessments, vegetation and botany specialist reports for
NEPA analysis, biological assessments, and discretionary grant applications.
Ravalli County – Natural Resource Management Policy Update (MT)
Role: Environmental Scientist
DJ&A worked closely with the Ravalli County Commissioners and a core team of local
representatives to prepare an updated Natural Resource Management Policy (NRMP) for the
county. DJ&A wrote resource assessments, facilitated bi-weekly core team meetings to
coordinate the project and develop objectives and strategies for each resource, facilitated public
meetings, administered a public survey, and wrote the NRMP. The updated NRMP incorporates
input from the core team and the public, is consistent with relevant laws and regulations, and
will facilitate effective county involvement in federal and state natural resource management
decisions. Hannah assessed the forestry resources in the county to support the development
of the document.
USFS Region 5 – Los Padres Ecological Restoration Project (CA)
Role: Environmental Scientist
DJ&A worked with the Los Padres National Forest to prepare an Environmental Assessment
(EA) for an ecological restoration project analyzing potential fuels treatments along corridors
identified by the Los Padres Strategic Fuelbreak Assessment and in other areas in need of
forest health improvements. The EA uses a conditions-based management approach to analyze
project implementation over several years covering substantial portions of four of the forest’s
five ranger districts. Hannah completed common stand assessments for silviculture data
collection efforts; wrote the botany biological assessment and biological evaluation, noxious
weed risk assessment, and plant management indicator species report; assisted with the fire
and fuels specialist report and associated methodology documentation; and participated in
public open houses and a virtual meeting for the draft EA.
Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation – Blacktail Flathead Electric
Cooperative Powerline Corridor Categorical Exclusion (MT)
Role: Vegetation Specialist
DJ&A is supporting the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, working
cooperatively with Flathead National Forest through the Good Neighbor Authority Program. This
work involved field surveys, effects analysis, writing analysis documents, and the preparation
of applicable biological assessments. DJ&A also drafted decision documents and maintained
the project file. Soils and aquatic field surveys were conducted across the project area which
is located west of Lakeside, Montana. Hannah was responsible for preparation of the biological
assessment, development of the categorial exclusion, and production of the project record.
Davey Resource Group; Various Projects (IL)
Role: Environmental Specialist
Prior to her time at DJ&A, Hannah worked for Davey Resource Group as an Environmental
Specialist, executing management of invasive plant species and participating in large-scale
native plant installations for restoration efforts in the Chicagoland area. She completed visual
assessments of transmission lines for Mid-American Energy 10-year inspection efforts across
Iowa, identifying hazardous line conditions and unsafe hardware to inform repair
implementations and recording vegetation conditions. As a Certified Arborist, she performed
tree risk assessments ahead of EPA Phase 1 environmental site assessments as part of the
emergency response to the Camp Fire in Paradise, California.
EDUCATION
MS – Plant Sciences
University of Wyoming
BA – Environmental Science
Franklin & Marshall College
CERTIFICATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
2018-Present: Certified Arborist,
International Society of Arboriculture (IL-
9679A)
Western Society of Weed Science
(Member)
TRAINING
2025: California Urban Wood Academy
Virtual Workshop
2022: Shipley Group Training – Applying
the NEPA Process & Writing Effective
NEPA Documents; Riparian and Wetland
AIM Training (BLM)
2021: Terrestrial AIM Training (BLM)
2017: Chicago Wilderness Midwest
Ecological Burn Training
2015-2019: Commercial Herbicide
Applicator’s License
Demonstration & Research
Forest Pest Control
Ornamental Pest Control
EXPERIENCE
4 years at DJ&A
10 years in the industry
ERIC MELSON – PLANNER
Eric is a recreation planner with 15 years of experience specializing in public outreach,
facilitation, and stakeholder engagement. He has guided governments and agencies through
complex public engagement processes to ensure infrastructure investments align with
community needs. Eric has expertise in designing and implementing public engagement
strategies, facilitation, project management, and natural resource policy. Eric is skilled in
fostering meaningful dialogue, modeling recreation conflict and crafting comprehensive
recreation plans that drive economic development.
Ravalli County – Outdoor Recreation Opportunity Report (MT)
Role: Public Engagement Specialist
Eric worked with Ravalli County and the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF) to conduct a county-
wide outdoor recreation review in advance of the BNF Forest Plan Revision. The team
conducted three rounds of public stakeholder engagement and developed recommendations
to better manage recreation in a growing county. Recommendations included strategies for
mitigating user conflict at the popular Lake Como Recreation Area, designing and designating
OHV routes for better resource protection, and partnering with permitted outfitters and guides
to protect and enhance high-quality visitor experiences along the Bitterroot River.
Bureau of Land Management – Copper City Trails (MT)
Role: Technical Advisor
Eric worked with Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association and the Bureau of
Land Management to create a new multi-use trail system for mountain bikers, hikers and
equestrians called Copper City Trails. This project involved stakeholder engagement, site
design, fundraising and developing a phased master plan implementation for 17+ miles of
new trail, and a new trailhead and parking area.
Five Valley Land Trust – Marshall Mountain Park Trails (MT)
Role: Technical Advisor
Eric advised Five Valleys Land Trust and a private landowner on the development of new
mountain bike trails at Marshall Mountain, a defunct ski area transitioned to a community park
outside Missoula, MT. The goal of this project was to create high-quality trails for mountain
biking that were used for the 2017-18 USAC Collegiate Nationals races. Eric provided trail
assessments, design of future alignment, volunteer oversight during construction, and quality
control throughout the project.
Missoula County – Seeley Lake Trail System (MT)
Role: Project Manager
Eric is managing the development and delivery of a new 27-mile multi-use trail system for
the community of Seeley Lake, Montana.
New Mexico Economic Development Department – New Mexico Uplift Initiative, Tribal Statewide
Public Engagement and Facilitation (NM)
Role: Public Engagement Specialist
Eric worked with the Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development
Department to complete a statewide recreation asset review. This review included extensive
stakeholder and public outreach, including detailed discussions with land managers to create
statewide and county-by-county recommendations for state investment into outdoor
recreation facilities. Recommendations incorporated best practices in visitor experience
management and conflict resolution on public lands. The goal of the project was to provide
equitable outdoor access and improve the quality of life for all residents and visitors while
simultaneously utilizing recreation to drive business investment in communities that need it
the most. Eric designed an SOP for engagement that was inclusive, accessible, and inviting
and which resulted in over 100 publicly noticed meetings and participation from over 2,000
unique individuals, both virtually and in-person. In addition, Eric designed, oversaw Tribal
liaison contracts and developed tailored engagement approaches for seven of the sovereign
New Mexico Tribes (including Navajo, Acoma, Zuni, Laguna, & Taos Pueblo Tribes).
EDUCATION
MC - Public Administration
Claremont Lincoln University
BS - Natural Resource
Management
Colorado State University
TRAINING
2x SHIFT Panel Speaker
360 Leadership Training
SHIFT Emerging Leaders
Program
AFFILIATIONS
Lincoln Vibrant Communities
Fellow, Lincoln Institute of
Land Policy
Elected, City Council, Ward 1,
City of Missoula
Speaker, Wilderness
Stewardship Alliance 4x
Conference
EXPERIENCE
15 years in industry
Chris Peiffer, Director of Urban Forestry Strategy, Senior Advisor
Chris has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2011 and an
ISA Urban Forest Professional (formerly ISA Municipal
Specialist) since 2019. He joined PlanIT Geo in 2014 as a
Business Developer & Urban Forester, helping to shape
the company’s growth and services. In 2016, Chris
established PlanIT Geo’s Urban Forestry Consulting
Services section, applying his expertise in urban forest
planning, management, and innovation. His experience
spans management planning, stakeholder engagement,
ordinance evaluations, operational efficiencies, tree
inventories, data analysis, program audits, risk tree
management, plan writing, and project management. This includes urban
forest management/master plans, tree risk management plans, tree code
amendment projects, regional canopy action plans and strategies, and strategic
planting plans.
Since joining PlanIT Geo in 2014, Chris has managed or continues to manage
over 60 urban forest planning projects spanning more than 20 U.S. states and
with budgets totaling over $2.5 million, engaging over 15,000 community
residents and 450+ city staff representing over 100 departments. Chris is also an
expert arborist and seasoned field crew manager with experience from leading
tree care firms, understanding the maintenance needs, tree physiology, risk
prioritization, and tree responses to proper tree care.
In February 2024, Chris became PlanIT Geo’s first-ever Director of Urban
Forestry Strategy. In this role, he is accountable for senior-level project
management and plan development, providing leadership across the company
on industry direction and utilizing effective methodologies and frameworks in
project planning.
PROJECT ROLE: Senior Advisor, Innovation, Problem-Solving, Expert Reviews
Chris will be the senior urban forestry advisor for this project, having the most
experience in urban forestry standards and industry best practices. Throughout
the project, he will play a central role in advancing key technical deliverables at
every stage of the planning process.
Alex Hancock, Director of Urban Forestry Consulting, Senior Project
Manager
Alex is an ISA Certified Arborist with a background in
urban planning, urban forestry, and sustainability. She is
experienced in tree canopy cover analysis, climate action
planning, zoning and land use planning, and public
policy. Alex has a Bachelor’s of Urban Planning and
earned her Master’s in Forest Resources and
Conservation with a Graduate Certificate in Geospatial
Analysis while working full-time as a City Planner. Since
joining the PlanIT Geo team, Alex has led the
development of Urban Forestry Plans, integrating urban
forestry into sustainability planning for communities
through public engagement, staff consultations, policy analysis, specialized
recommendations, and plan development.
Alex supported the development of the City of Westminster’s UFMP by
completing a tree ordinance review with recommendations using industry
standards, best management practices, and a benchmarking exercise that
compared Westminster’s code with five other cities in the region. Alex also
implemented an assessment of the canopy cover in the City’s open spaces
and calculated an estimate of trees the City manages in open spaces based on
urban tree canopy cover data.
PROJECT ROLE: Policy & Senior Consultant, UFCS Director, DJ&A Coordinator
Alex will serve as the strategic lead and technical champion for Bozeman’s
Urban Forest Management Plan. She will advise on project setup, drive policy
and ordinance reviews, guide benchmarking and best practice integration, and
rigorously oversee each analysis and recommendation. AH will ensure City
priorities and local realities shape every deliverable, streamline internal and
public engagement efforts, and provide clear, actionable policy and
management guidance.
With deep municipal experience and a proven track record in urban forestry,
she will help DJ&A and the City navigate complex technical and stakeholder
challenges, communicate data-driven insights, and design Plan solutions that
deliver lasting value. AH’s leadership, hands-on expertise, and commitment to
collaboration will be fundamental to achieving Bozeman’s UFMP goals.
Matt Urmson, Urban Forestry Planner, Project Manager
Matt has a background in the fields of wildlife biology,
horticulture, pest management, forestry, water-
efficient landscaping, parks and recreation, history, and
international studies, and is working towards wildfire
management proficiency. He has a Bachelor’s degree
in Wildlife and Fisheries Management and is an ISA
Certified arborist, qualified water efficient landscaper,
and a certified operator in forestry, turf grass, and
industrial ROW. Matt joined Plan-IT Geo as an Urban
Forestry Planner in 2023. Matt supports the urban
forestry consulting services team by creating urban
forest management plans, tree pest and disease plans, tree master lists, and
planting plans that focus on xeric and water-efficient species, assisting with
internal and external engagement, and tree inventory analyses. Matt has spent
the last 3 years leading projects for PlanIT Geo within Oregon, Washington, and
the Western US.
PROJECT ROLE: Project Manager, Planner, Consultant, Strategy Builder
Matt will be the operational engine and technical resource throughout
Bozeman’s Urban Forest Management Plan project. He will serve as the Project
Manager for PlanIT Geo’s team, ensuring deliverables meet City expectations
and deadlines. Matt will support meetings, guide the development of work
plans, and lead data-driven research and benchmarking efforts.
On technical tasks, Matt will oversee inventory, canopy, and vulnerability
assessments, using cutting-edge tools and local data to generate clear,
actionable results. He will support policy reviews, stakeholder coordination, and
provide best practice insights for ordinances, protocols, and incentives. Matt will
support internal engagement by weighing in on staff survey development,
consultation sessions, and operational benchmarking.
For implementation, Matt will develop site-specific maintenance schedules, risk
management strategies, and climate-resilient recommendations. He will
prepare graphics, maps, and visual content, and provide support at board and
City Commission presentations. Matt’s responsive management and deep
technical knowledge are central to delivering a timely, detail-rich, and
actionable Plan that supports City priorities and stakeholder needs.
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
B-1 | Page
APPENDIX B
DATA VISUALIZATION EXAMPLES
DJ&A and PlanIT Geo City of Bozeman 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan Update
C-1 | Page
APPENDIX C
SIGNED NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION
Attachment A
NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION
____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national
origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and
acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting
discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the
hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts.
In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby
affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana
Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices”
website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices
publication and has read the material.
______________________________________
Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter
DJ&A
DJ&A