HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 - Submissions - 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan (2)From:Carroll, Melissa
To:Bozeman Procurement
Cc:Hauer, Rich; Lilley, Sarah; Lingo, Liz; Nansel, Paola; Pfantz, Michelle; Harvey, MacKenzie
Subject:[EXTERNAL]2026 Urban Forest Management Plan - Eocene Proposal Submission - 11/19/2025 @ 3PM MST
Date:Wednesday, November 19, 2025 10:51:25 AM
Attachments:Bozeman, MT_Eocene Proposal.pdf
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Good Afternoon,
Please find Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.’s proposal for the 2026 Urban Forest
Management Plan RFP attached to this email, as requested. We appreciate the opportunity to
build a successful partnership with the City of Bozeman.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you,
Melissa CarrollContract Administrator
Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
OFFICE 888.972.5930 DIRECT 515.271.1149
EMAIL mcarroll@eocene.com
1
Urban Forest
Management Plan
Proposal
Prepared for: City of Bozeman, MT
Prepared by: Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.
RFP | 11.19.2025
contractadmin@eocene.com | 888.972.5930
0
November 19, 2025
Alex Nordquest
Forestry Division Manager
City of Bozeman
406-582-3225
anordquest@bozeman.net
RFP to Complete an Urban Forest Management Plan
We are honored to be considered to complete an Urban Forest Management Plan for the City of
Bozeman. After reviewing your Request for Proposals, Eocene Environmental Group is able to meet
the needs outlined in the RFP and is excited to partner with the City of Bozeman to enhance and protect
your urban forest. Our company has established itself as a trusted provider of tree management and
consulting services with over 25 years of experience and over 600 specialized staff members across
the US.
Why Eocene is the Right Choice for Bozeman
Local Expertise with Regional Knowledge: We understand Montana’s unique tree species and the
challenges they face. Having completed multiple inventories, canopy assessments and management
plans across the country, as well as having staff residing locally, we are thoroughly familiar with the
Northern Rocky Mountain area’s urban forest composition and maintenance needs.
Proven Track Record: Our experienced team of ISA Board Certified Master Arborists, Urban Forest
Professionals, Registered Consulting Arborists and TRAQ-qualified personnel have inventoried tens of
millions of trees across North America. We've pioneered industry standards that others follow and have
developed management plans to help communities effectively manage their urban forests. Recent
comparable projects include:
▪ Jeffersonville, IN (2025): Tree inventory, canopy assessment, forest inventory and
management plan
▪ DeKalb County, GA (2024-2025): Canopy assessment, field change assessment and summary
report
▪ Groton, CT (2023-2025): Tree inventory, community engagement and Community Forest
Management Plan
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 1
What Sets Us Apart
Understanding the Community: When we work with your community, we want to understand the
people, history and its unique relationship with its trees. Our engagement approach fosters multiple
interactions with the Bozeman community, and we will benchmark the City’s current urban forest
management practices against the national survey of municipal activities, which our team is currently
updating.
Data Analysis Experts: We have extensive experience analyzing community tree data and presenting
the results in a manner that is easy to interpret and tells a story. We know that trees hold personal
significance to a community, and that data coupled with a review of management operations can be
used to understand the current status of a city’s trees, and guide recommendations for their care into
the future.
Actionable Results: Beyond data collection, we synthesize information into clear, accessible plans
that help staff and officials make informed decisions. Our maintenance strategies are realistic, prioritized
and developed in consultation with the City’s project team.
Bozeman’s Future
The investment in this project will provide Bozeman with the foundation for efficient, informed urban
forest management. You'll receive not just a plan, but a roadmap for enhancing your community's
valuable natural assets while ensuring public safety and maximizing environmental benefits.
We're committed to building long-term partnerships based on trust, professionalism and quality. Our
transparent communication approach includes regular progress updates and collaborative problem-
solving throughout the project.
Thank you for considering Eocene Environmental Group for this important initiative. We're ready to help
Bozeman create a resilient and sustainable urban forest that serves both current residents and future
generations.
Sincerely,
Richard Hauer, BCMA, Ph.D. Sarah Lilley, CA, TRAQ Liz Lingo, BCMA, RCA
Director of Urban Forestry Supervisor of R&D Associate Consultant
rhauer@eocene.com slilley@eocene.com elingo@eocene.com
715.310.6939 310.738.9760 302.493.7417
Table of Contents
Firm Profile ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
Experience ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Urban Forestry Expertise .............................................................................................................................. 2
Firm Workload .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Scope of Proposal ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Tree Canopy Assessment............................................................................................................................. 3
Urban Forest Management Plan ................................................................................................................... 4
Review Existing Reports, Studies, regulations & Specifications .................................................................. 6
Community Engagement .............................................................................................................................. 7
Schedule ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
References ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Appendix I – Resumes ................................................................................................................................... 11
Appendix II - Fee Proposal ............................................................................................................................ 17
Attachment A – Nondiscrimination and Equal Pay Affirmation ................................................................ 18
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 1
Firm Profile
1. Our headquarters is located at 5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa. The Urban
Forestry team consists of nine dedicated employees, and across the company, we employ
approximately 600 team members. Eocene is proud to be an employee-owned organization.
2. Our team has spent the past two decades providing environmental consulting, vegetation
management, software solutions and sustainability services. We are fortunate to be a part of the
Wright Service Corp. family of companies, which has provided a strong foundation for our
continued growth and success. Through a strategic alignment of values and goals, four Wright
Service Corp. entities united to form a single operating company, Eocene Environmental Group,
Inc. These four entities are:
a. CN Utility Consulting (Forestry & Utility Division)
b. Transcon Environmental (Environmental Division)
c. Terra Spectrum Technologies (Technology & Innovation Division)
d. Sustainable Environmental Consultants (Sustainability Division)
3. Our first Urban Forestry project was in 2022. Since then, we have completed 21 projects and
currently have 19 ongoing projects. We are adequately staffed on our Urban Forestry team for
our current workload, and we have access to other experts throughout the company, such as
planners, risk specialists, botanists and engineers.
4. Our team assesses thousands of trees every year across the United States, demonstrating our
ability to quickly adapt to different urban forest compositions We are fortunate to have the
experience of partnering with numerous communities, varying in size and cultural backgrounds.
Bozeman is especially familiar to our team member Paola Nansel, who lives in Billings and has
also resided in Bozeman. Paola is involved with the vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing
community of Bozeman, and recognizes the challenges of new development faced by local
government.
5. Please see brief resumes of each key project individual in Appendix I.
6. Melissa Carroll, Contract Administrator | contractadmin@eocene.com | 888-972-5930 | 5930
Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Rich Hauer, Director of Urban Forestry | rhauer@eocene.com | 715-310-6939
Sarah Lilley, Project Manager | slilley@eocene.com | 310-738-9760
Liz Lingo, Project Manager | elingo@eocene.com | 302-493-7417
Paola Nansel, Assistant Consultant | pnansel@eocene.com | 406-371-1907
Matt Johns, GIS Analyst | mjohns1@eocene.com | 715-829-8652
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 2
Experience
Eocene Environmental Group has an experienced team of arborists,
biologists, archaeologists, planners and other environmental experts. Our
experience has evolved through complex projects spanning the US, with a
focus on vegetation management, rural to municipal forestry projects and
consultation. With over 25 years of experience, our company has
established itself as a trusted provider of tree management and consulting
services.
Our consultants annually assess over a million trees for municipal and
utility forestry programs. These assessments often lead to reports and
plans to improve management of the urban forest and increase benefits for
communities. We have developed hundreds of reports and plans, ranging
from those documenting a few trees to large inventories, operations
guidance and management plans. We have long-term contracts in 28
states, as well as current projects and staff resources in the southeast.
URBAN FORESTRY EXPERTISE
For this project, the team has over 50 years of experience in urban forestry management, with our work
spanning a variety of sectors from municipal, commercial and utility forestry. We have given over 500
presentations and authored publications such as urban forestry plans, technical publications, textbooks
and Best Management Practice (BMP) guides. This includes tree inventory systems, management
plans, ordinance development, tree planting and selection, tree risk assessment and other works
relevant to the care and management of trees in communities. Our project team can easily assimilate
our experience to assist the City of Bozeman in its project.
Throughout the country, our in-progress and developed management plans vary from operations to
strategic and comprehensive urban forestry plans for communities throughout the United States.
Collectively we have worked for municipalities that range from 1,000 to over 200,000 people, planning
for trees and forests through open spaces, parks and street trees. The current 2025 Municipal Tree
Care Activities project, an update to the 2014 version, is also a project we are currently leading. Thus,
we bring a wealth of experiences to successfully lead this project. In addition, our Director of Urban
Forestry, Dr. Richard Hauer, is one of the foremost experts in emerald ash borer (EAB) preparedness
and has develop multiple EAB preparedness plans and workshops. Our references section provides
details on projects worked and contact information to seek an external opinion.
Our project team includes several staff within the urban forestry group at or above the ISA Certified
Arborist level, as well as Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Certified Forester, Board Certified Master
Arborist and Registered Consulting Arborist. With any project, our team’s strength occurs through a
broad set of skills and abilities. Our professional background and resume synopsis demonstrates our
expertise and relevant project experience that will result in a successful plan to guide urban forestry
development in Bozeman. Below are links to three examples of similar projects completed by Eocene:
City of Jeffersonville, Indiana
DeKalb County, Georgia
Town of Groton, Connecticut
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 3
Firm Workload
Our firm is well-positioned to take on this project within the anticipated schedule. Most of our current
workload is expected to conclude by the end of this year, allowing key personnel to schedule any work
ahead of time and dedicate their full attention to the Urban Forest Management Plan at the project’s
start next year. Our team operates collaboratively with a small but highly coordinated group of
professionals who can efficiently divide tasks according to their expertise and project needs. This
structure provides flexibility and ensures that all deliverables can be met within the required timeline.
Based on our projected workload and staffing capacity, we are confident in our ability to meet or exceed
the schedule requirements for this project.
Scope of Proposal
The City of Bozeman is undertaking an urban forestry project to enhance, protect and more effectively
manage its valuable urban forest. This project includes a resource assessment, where we study what
the city currently has in terms of its tree inventory, canopy cover and current operational approach and
budget. That information will be analyzed and compared to similar communities. We will implement a
multifaceted approach to understand what the community wishes to see in their shared trees. Using
industry standards and benchmarks, coupled with city staff input, we will develop an Urban Forestry
Management Plan (UFMP) to assist Bozeman in developing and enhancing their urban forest program.
TREE CANOPY ASSESSMENT
Having data on the current status of the urban forest is crucial to decide in what direction the community
would like to move in and what actions are needed to get there. We will work with the City to access
and analyze the existing tree inventory and canopy data to create a picture of the current status of the
urban forest. Depending on the completeness of the tree inventory data, species, location, age and
health information be used to determine where the community forest is resilient and where it could use
attention to thrive. We will identify areas where the diversity of tree species and age ranges are highest
and lowest, which can inform future planting practices. An area with large, mature trees is aesthetically
appealing but will not provide tree canopy into the future if new trees are not planted to replace those
that age out. Similarly, we will identify areas where trees are thriving or struggling, which can indicate
where amendments are needed when planting new trees, or if the palette of species should be
reconsidered.
Our method starts with downloading the relevant satellite imagery on which the canopy assessment will
be based. We typically use National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) satellite images, which have
60-cm accuracy; 2023 data for Montana is available online and one other historical date will be selected
in agreement with the City for a comparison of how tree canopy has changed over time in Bozeman.
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 4
To evaluate the current landcover, we will use a sample point method to ascertain the percentage of
land covered by trees, grass, herbaceous & shrubs, impervious surface, bare soil and water. With this
method, tree canopy cover is assessed using sample points, a high accuracy method (± 1 to 2% of
actual value) we have completed for over 400 communities. The sample point system is based on an
accuracy confidence of 95%. Based on our past work, a sampling intensity of 6,000 sample locations
across the City will provide an efficient approach. The sample point system is the standard to compare
against machine learned systems (Clymire-Stern, 2022).
The tree canopy data will be used to determine the spatial distribution of trees across the entire City,
which accounts for private property tree information that is outside the extent of the public tree inventory.
We will determine an overall tree canopy cover metric for the community, which can be further analyzed
for selected geographic areas, such as census tracts, neighborhoods, zoning, watershed, or other
geographical boundaries and environmental factors, such as heat and health burden. These geographic
areas and environmental factors will be decided upon with input from the City’s project team, in order
to best tell the story of Bozeman’s tree canopy.
URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Our proposal describes the approach to developing a UFMP to guide the assessment, preservation and
implementation of strategies to enhance the present and future urban forest. The UFMP will incorporate
all the data, analysis, findings and recommendations from the tree inventory and canopy data. We will
include recommendations on program structure, policies and codes, governance, funding, community
engagement, interdepartmental relationships, maintenance and other vital plan details, including all
listed RFP elements. The plan will follow the Miller et al. (2015) model:
The development of the UFMP is data-driven while reflecting the experience of local communities. The
community’s values regarding their tree resources are important to realize the benefits of urban forests.
The state of the urban forest must be understood in the historical context of how Bozeman’s trees have
changed over time, and how the community perceives their arboricultural assets. Data itself cannot
determine the state of your urban forest. Our team brings expertise by analyzing the data and
incorporating your staff and community’s local experience. This information will be a central topic of the
state of the urban forest, and our approach will develop a plan as described below.
Vision, goals, objectives and strategies for long-term urban forest management, including
increasing canopy cover and addressing equal access to trees
Analysis of inventory results, including tree maintenance needs, composition and state of the
canopy
Review of operations, policies, ordinances and enforcement, benchmarking against similar
communities, with recommendations developed to meet goals
WHAT DO WE HAVE: inventory & assessment of tree resources, history,
environment, previous plans, ordinances and other crucial factors
WHAT DO WE WANT: vision based on community wants and needs
HOW DO YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT: strategic direction based on
vision, goals, objectives guided by what you have and what you want
FEEDBACK: program progress evaluation and adapt as needed
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 5
Community and stakeholder engagement, plus staff input and feedback
Recommendations to establish volunteer and education activities
Developing a response to climate change and pest management, including EAB preparedness
Estimate of the annual cost of the plan’s implementation and recommendations
Creation of a framework for annual reporting and monitoring of urban forest activities
State of the Urban Forest: A key component of What do we have? is identifying the urban forest
resources (tree inventory and canopy). It summarizes what Bozeman has, its location, its condition and
future threats. Also, a thorough review of existing plans, incentives, policies, ordinances, staffing,
funding and maintenance practices occurs. We evaluate if they meet the intended end result, identify
existing issues and propose practical solutions. We then combine the urban forest resource analytics
with our understanding of the existing policies, programs and funding. This results in a current baseline
tree resource, proposes strategies for the future forest and relates this through an ecological services
and value context.
Vision, Goals, and Metrics: Using information from the data analysis, public engagement,
benchmarking and SWOT assessment, we develop goals supported by actions with measurable
outcomes and informed by community input to determine What Bozeman wants for its urban forest.
Vision: The vision statement for Bozeman’s trees is developed through community feedback
and serves to inspire action. This can be the previous plan’s vision or an updated vision.
Goals: We create maintenance-driven goals that align with existing City plans through staff
interviews and data collection. Goals reflect community input and provide an inspiring roadmap
for collaborative action.
Metrics of Success: We gather staff input to establish benchmarks specific to Bozeman, then
synthesize priorities into measurable goals. All metrics include data collection methods, tangible
objectives, potential partner organizations and frameworks for informed decision-making.
Example metrics are displayed below.
Example urban forest metrics to evaluate your program against with proposed goals and the
current situation.
Recommendations, Implementation, and Monitoring: We integrate findings with actionable
recommendations tailored to your community's specific needs to guide the City to What it Wants in its
urban forest. Our recommendations combine community and staff feedback with technical expertise
Urban Forest Metric Proposed Goal Current Situation
Tree Canopy Cover Develop a tree canopy cover goal with an overall minimum % goal
linked to tree planting plan.
Current cover unknown;
40% goal
Tree Equity
Develop a tree equity goal that ensures every person can see at
least 3 trees from their home, live in a neighborhood with 30%
canopy cover, and have a quality green space within 300m.
Currently unknown and
no goals
Tree Diversity Goal Develop and maintain a diverse tree population with no species
exceeding 5%, genus 10%, or family 15% of the total population.
Current population at 10-
20-30 rule
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 6
and industry standards. We prioritize all recommendations with clear timelines, assigned responsibilities
and budget expectations. In particular, we will explore and make recommendations regarding program
funding, public education opportunities and ordinance improvements. The implementation strategy
provides staff a clear path forward, while our monitoring and reporting framework establishes controls
and timeframes for achieving goals and actions, establishing a Feedback loop to maintain the plan into
the future.
Draft and Final Urban Forestry Management Plan: We believe a successful plan is one that is
implemented via actionable ideas supported by a community. We will use our findings to identify key
approaches to complete the UFMP guided by the community’s vision for its trees. We will provide the
report in both PDF and editable formats so the City can more easily pull relevant materials if needed for
public outreach (e.g., website, socials). We will provide a draft report for the City to review for any
comments or clarifications.
Throughout the UFMP development, we will be incorporating the input of the community and technical
feedback from City staff. The final plan should represent the community’s vision for their public trees,
and a clear path to accomplish their goals. We anticipate being involved with the final plan’s adoption
through an in-person presentation to the City, and additional virtual sessions as needed. Any edits that
the City proposes will be considered in the final document to facilitate the plan’s adoption. The final
comprehensive plan document, and all supporting materials, will be considered the sole property of the
City.
REVIEW EXISTING REPORTS, STUDIES, REGULATIONS &
SPECIFICATIONS
Working with the City, we will identify existing documents that have already
assessed Bozeman’s urban forest and its management. Reviewing these
documents will help develop an understanding of where Bozeman is now
in terms of its tree management, and what efforts have been made to
shape the current atmosphere. We can build upon this understanding to
develop realistic and community-supported goals for the future. We will use
this review in conjunction with the analysis of existing tree data and
assessment of municipal regulations and specifications to determine how
Bozeman can improve the management of a sustainable and resilient
public tree population.
Beyond reviewing the materials that have already been prepared to
manage Bozeman’s trees, we’ll identify and review documents whose
actions have an impact on trees. This may include City regulations and ordinances, construction
guidelines, wood waste protocols and the role of tree preservation during development. All of these
documents will be assessed with an eye towards maintaining the City’s green infrastructure, identifying
potential ways to adjust or strengthen their language towards preserving and growing Bozeman’s
canopy.
To complete the picture of Bozeman’s current situation, we would ask the City to complete a survey of
annual urban forestry activities. We are currently leading an effort to request survey responses from
communities across the country, and our dataset will be used to benchmark Bozeman’s program.
Beyond the data, we’d like to schedule a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats session
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 7
with Bozeman staff and the project team to self-identify areas where the program is succeeding, and
areas where improvements can be made.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Bozeman’s urban forest is centered around community – the
people, the spaces and the vision. The City’s Urban Forest
Management Plan will rely on that community for vital input to
develop an actionable plan with a shared vision of Bozeman’s
future urban forest. Our plan uses the International Association
for Public Participation’s trusted system, employing a multimodal
engagement method to capture public values and opinions. That
feedback will contribute to the city’s vision and supporting goals.
Engagement should always be flexible and responsive to the
community and project team. We are ready to adapt this plan to
best serve a wide variety of stakeholders within the available
resources.
Internal engagement and foundational work
Our initial round of engagement is about understanding a
community. We first aim to connect the Eocene team with
Bozeman’s project team. This begins at the kickoff meeting and
continues through a series of meetings and work sessions to
understand staff’s roles in the community and internally. From our
conversations with the City’s team, we further refine our
engagement approach to garner valuable public feedback and support for the project.
Gather input for community vision & goals
The first and most significant round of engagement with the wider Bozeman’s community will employ a
survey, workshops, and web resources to:
Understand people’s individual and cultural relationships with trees
Understand where urban forestry is among their priorities
Share educational materials celebrating the value of trees and discuss the state of the urban forest
Survey: Working with the City’s team, we will develop an informative survey that reaches its intended
audience and makes it easy for them to respond. Greenspace likes and dislikes, access and barriers,
and sociodemographic information are incorporated. The survey will be in print and online to capture
diverse community members’ opinions. It can also be disseminated at workshops and at public
municipal buildings, cultural centers/museums, libraries and community festivals or events, based upon
the experience and recommendations of the City’s project team. We have developed survey questions
to facilitate this approach and extensive experience administering surveys.
Community Meetings: We will host three in-person meetings to gather community input. Working with
the City, we would structure these meetings to creatively interact with the community and be inclusive
of population groups whose voices are underrepresented. During this phase, we discover the
community’s opinion on Bozeman’s urban forest, proximity to trees and ideas to enhance the future
urban forest. We would work with the City to determine the best time and place for the workshops. Thus,
FIVE STEP ENGAGEMENT
APPROACH
Step 1: Identify Community-
Based Organizations and
Their Priorities for the
Community
Step 2: Build Trust by
Listening to and Documenting
Residents’ Values and Needs
Step 3: Collaboratively Create
Urban Forestry Programs
That Meet Residents’ Needs
and Values
Step 4: Secure Resources to
Help Address Residents’
Priorities
Step 5: Follow-up
(Adapted from Carmichael, C.
2024)
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 8
we would schedule the meeting times to provide opportunities to best engage and exchange and collect
ideas from the community.
Website/Social Media: We propose to provide materials and design for a project website and
Bozeman’s social media to promote the project. Using the City’s existing website, we can develop a
mockup of the project website to provide project updates to the community and solicit feedback. It would
include a link to the community survey, details on opportunities for the public to engage in the project,
and additional information relevant to the project.
Confirm vision & goals to inform recommendations
Share the draft community vision and goals with the public to ensure it reflects their input
Invite input to inform development of recommendations and metrics in the UFMP
We will review feedback received during community engagement activities and discuss those results.
We assess whether we have reached diverse areas and underserved neighborhoods, including any
additional outreach needed to ensure all people have an opportunity to be heard. We would review the
goals and strategies for the urban forest, including canopy cover percentage goals. There is also an
opportunity to share the draft vision and goals visually by incorporating photos shared by community
members or developing illustrations that highlight some of their stories.
Share draft UFMP
Share the public draft of the UFMP and invite feedback
Highlight areas of the plan the community provided input on such as recommendations and
metrics
We will work to ensure the plan is written using easy-to-understand language, incorporates graphics
and photos, and is digitally and visually accessible. We will develop materials in multiple formats to
familiarize community members with the various sections of the plan. This may take the form of
infographics to walk the public through the plan, giving them an opportunity to ask questions and interact
with the project team. At this point, we aim to present the draft plan virtually or in person at a City
meeting as a touchpoint for community input and a chance to celebrate a collaborative process.
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 9
Schedule
Below is a proposed schedule, which will be finalized and presented as part of the work plan upon project award. It is anticipated that the entire
project can be completed within approximately 10 months.
Project Component Week 1 Week 3 Week 5 Week 7 Week 9 Week 11 Week 13 Week 15 Week 17 Week 19 Week 21 Week 23 Week 25 Week 27 Week 29 Week 31 Week 33 Week 35 Week 37 Week 39 Week 41 Kickoff Meeting & Updates
Conduct Canopy Assessment
Develop Project Work Plan
Develop Community Engagement Plan
Develop Social Media Material
Conduct Engagement Meetings
Summarize Engagement Findings
Background Research
Analyze Tree Inventory Data
Analyze Tree Canopy Data
Review Regulations
Conduct SWOT & Benchmark
Develop Draft UFMP
Bozeman Reviews UFMP
Compile Feedback & Finalize
Prepare Presentation
Present Final UFMP
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 10
References
Below is a list of similar projects Eocene has recently worked on, showcasing our familiarity with the
project scope and assisting municipalities in developing urban forest programs.
City of Jeffersonville, Indiana (2024-2025)
We completed a 3,000-tree inventory on public property, including an analysis of forest plots to
determine the state of the urban forest. We also completed a tree canopy assessment and management
plan, culminating in a public presentation.
Chad Reischl | Planning and Zoning Director | 812-280-3855 | CReischl@CityofJeff.net
Link to plan: City of Jeffersonville, Indiana
DeKalb County, Georgia: Tree Canopy Assessment, Field Change Assessment, &
Summary Report (2024-2025)
We inventoried 14,000 trees in County parks and completed an i-Tree assessment, tree structural asset
valuation, and prepared a summary report. The project depicts the current tree population, with a GIS-
based tree inventory that detailed maintenance needs.
Kathy Reed | Sustainability Coordinator | (404) 859-9145 | Kdreed@dekalbcountyga.gov
Link to Plan: DeKalb County, Georgia
Town of Groton, CT: Public Tree Inventory and Community Forest Management Plan
(2023-2025)
We inventoried public trees, documenting location, species, size, defects, probability of failure, and
maintenance recommendations. We advised on a community engagement survey and campaign,
analyzed results, and performed a program review. The output was a Community Forest Management
Plan building off the current status and incorporating the Town’s vision for their trees.
Mark Berry | Director of Parks & Recreation | (860) 536-5680 | mberry@groton-ct.cgov
Link to plan: Town of Groton, Connecticut
City of Sioux Falls, SD: Tree Inventory and Maintenance Assessment
This project includes a multi-year tree inventory of up to 75,000 trees. The inventory includes tree height,
geospatial location (GPS) location, diameter, condition, management recommendation, and field
observations in City owned golf courses, parks, and along streets.
Bryan Peterson | Urban Forestry Specialist | (605) 367-8222 | bryan.peterson@ siouxfalls.gov
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 11
Appendix I – Resumes
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 12
Richard J. Hauer, Ph.D.
Summary of Qualifications
▪ Ph.D University of Minnesota, 2005. Natural Resources Science and Management with Emphasis in
Urban & Community Forestry, Dissertation Title: Urban Forestry and Urban Forest Capacity: Defining
Capacity and Models of Capacity Building
▪ M.S. University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, 1995. Tree Biology and Urban Forest Health. Thesis
Title: Physiological Responses to Drought of Acer saccharum and Acer saccharum ssp. nigrum Seedlings
from Different Geographic Seed Sources
▪ B.S. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1992. Double Major in Forestry (Urban Forestry
Emphasis) and Bioloty (Botany Emphasis)
▪ A.A.S. University of Minnesota-Waseca, 1987. Horticulture Technology
Work Experience
EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Director of Urban Forestry | Sept. 2022-Present
UW-MADISON
Professor L/I – Dept. of Forest & Wildlife Ecology | May 2022-Present
UWSP
Professor Emeritus of Urban Forestry | 2023-Present
Professor of Urban Forestry – College of Natural Resources | 2014-2023
Forestry Discipline Coordinator – College of Natural Resources | 2011-2014
Associate Professor of Forestry – College of Natural Resources | 2009-2014
Associate Professor of Forestry – College of Natural Resources | 2005-2009
Instructor of Forestry – College of Natural Resources | 2003-2005
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Shade Tree Program Coordinator | 1998-2003
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Assistant Forestry Extension Specialist – Department of Forest Resources | 1996-1998
Graduate Forestry Research Assistant – Department of Forest Resources | 1996-1998
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
Natural Resources Research Analyst – Carbondale, IL | 1994-1996
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Graduate Forestry Research Assistant – Department of Forest Resources | 1992-1994
KUNDE CO., INC.
Forestry Consultant – Tree Inspector – Roseville, MN | 1991-1992
VANDE HEY’S LANDSCAPE CENTER
Landscape Maintenance Foreman – Appleton, WI | 1990
Landscape Maintenance Technician – Appleton, WI | 1990
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 13
Sarah Lilley
Summary of Qualifications
▪ International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, Urban Forest Professional, Utility
Specialist | WE-11822AUM
▪ ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ)
▪ Rhode Island Licensed Arborist
▪ Proficient in Microsoft Office and GIS software; confident with technology and able to learn new
applications quickly. Knowledge of municipal and utility forestry, including regulations, equipment, safety
and best management practices.
Work Experience
EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Supervisor of Research & Development - National | Dec. 2020-Present
▪ Supervise field operations for municipal projects nationwide, including tree inventory and risk assessment
▪ Conduct site- and tree-specific evaluations
▪ Engage with the client and communities through outreach and presentations
▪ Compile summary reports and prepare project deliverables
Regional Coordinator - National | Oct. 2019-Dec. 2020
▪ Coordinated with Regional Supervisors and Managers to staff and implemented training for contracts
across multiple utility contracts
▪ Managed a 4-person Contract Coordinator team to screen, interview, hire and onboard new employees,
and to assist with contract operations
▪ Participated in company-wide initiatives on recruitment, training, safety and personal development
▪ Completed North American Training Solutions’ Empower the Educator course
Contract Coordinator – California | Dec. 2018-Oct. 2019
▪ Hired and trained new employees for Southern California Edison contract
▪ Developed and implemented training initiatives to improve quality and efficiency of employees’ work
▪ Assisted contract leadership with quality and safety audits
▪ Attended Leadership Academy and created connections across the company
Education
Municipal Forestry Institute
Graduate Program | 2025
Connecticut Master Woodland Manager
Program
Graduate Program | 2024
Green Communities Leadership Institute
Graduate Program | 2024
University of California, Los Angeles
Extension
Certificate in Sustainability | 2016
Gettysburg College
Bachelor of Science, Biology | Bachelor of
Science, Environmental Studies | 2006
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 14
Elisabeth Lingo
Work Experience
EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Urban Forestry Consultant | Dec. 2023-Present
▪ Supervise field operations for utility and municipal projects nationwide, including tree inventory and risk
assessment
▪ Conduct site- and tree-specific evaluations
▪ Compile summary reports and prepare project deliverables
CITY OF REHOBOTH BEACH, DELEWARE
Parks, Recreation & Urban Forestry Manager | Dec. 2015-Dec. 2023
▪ Managed all municipal parks, trees, landscaping, recreation and outdoor spaces
▪ Developed and oversaw management plants, contracts and work specifications
▪ Represented the City and presented at committee and commission meetings
▪ Reviewed tree preservation plans and permits
▪ Supervised staff and managed contractors
SAVATREE
Arborist – Rockville, Maryland | Feb. 2013-April 2016
▪ Developed specifications for pruning, plant health care and hazard tree assessment
▪ Diagnosed plant diseases, insects and antibiotic issues
▪ Managed clients and developed territory through marketing and prospecting
NYC PARKS & RECREATION, NATURAL RESOURCE GROUP
Gardener II - Forester | Sept. 2011-Feb. 2013
▪ Restored degraded areas through invasive species removal and native plantings
▪ Managed and led crews, volunteer groups and long-term stewards
▪ Created management plans, work schedules and planting plans for restoration sites
ENVIROTECH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
Natural Resource Manager – Rehoboth Beach, Delaware | Oct. 2007-Sept. 2011
Education
Connecticut College
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies – Minor, English | New London, Connecticut
Certifications & Training
▪ ISA Certification | MA-5522B
▪ Certified Construction Reviewer | CCR
▪ Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ)
▪ ASCA RCA | 833
▪ FEMA ICS 100
▪ Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 15
Paola Nansel
Work Experience
EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Urban Forester | Aug. 2024-Present
▪ Develop responses to community requests for proposals, requests for qualification and other solicitations
for work
▪ Work with Project Managers and Consulting Arborists to plan and undertake field-based tree and
community assessments
▪ Assist with direction and participate as needed with tree inventory projects
▪ Identification, inspection and reporting of trees/brush along streets and municipal properties
▪ Complete quality assurance and quality control auditing, inspections and compliance based on client
requirements
▪ Assist in the development of management plans based on community engagement ideas, tree
information, existing community resources and projected needs
Consulting Utility Forester | Oct. 2023-Aug. 2024
▪ Liaised between property owners and public agencies to coordinate tree pruning, removals and other
vegetation management activities
▪ Conducted thorough tree and brush inventories to support vegetation management strategies
▪ Performed hazard tree inspections and evaluations to identify and mitigate risks to powerlines and
infrastructure
▪ Developed and planned work schedules for tree contractors, ensuring efficiency and compliance with
safety standards
▪ Managed and maintained accurate data on fieldwork, inspections and vegetation conditions
▪ Ensured the safety of employees and the public by identifying and addressing potential hazards in and
around the work site
Traveling Field Specialist | May 2022-Oct. 2023
Education
University of Idaho
Forestry – Exchange Program | 2014-2015
Universidade Federal Do Parana
B.S. Forest Engineering | 2011-2017
Oregon State University
Urban Forestry Graduate Certificate | 2023-
Present
Green Communities Leadership Institute
Graduate Program | 2025
Certifications & Training
▪ ISA Certified Arborist | RM-8614A
▪ ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 16
Matthew M. Johns
Work Experience
EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Urban Forester I – Louisville, KY | May 2023-Present
▪ Key player in establishment and startup of Urban Forestry Division, carrying out municipal tree inventories
▪ Lead Urban Forestry GIS Analyst
FORESTRY DISCIPLINE, USWP
Research Assistant – Stevens Point, WI | Fall 2021-Spring 2023
▪ Conducted Wisconsin Urban Forest delineation and identified unique management practices
▪ Located and utilized US Census and outside data for use in a multi-decade GIS project
Undergraduate Research Assistant – Stevens Point, WI | Spring 2020-Summer 2020
▪ Performed forest and land cover classification from orthophotos using ArcGIS
▪ Organized thousands of data points for future DNR land classification
WISCONSIN AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Range Maintenance Technician – Volk Field, Camp Douglas, WI | Summer 2017 & Summer 2018
▪ Heavy and small equipment operator, including skid steer, chainsaw & ATV/UTV training
▪ Maintained fire breaks/sand strafe pit areas in a heavily forested/high fire risk environment
▪ Reviewed and implemented requirements on federal environmental impact statements
Education
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP)
Master of Science in Natural Resources | 2024 | Stevens Point, WI
Bachelor of Science – Major: Urban Forestry – Minor: Geographic Information Systems & Spatial Analysis
| 2021 | Stevens Point, WI
Certifications & Qualifications
▪ ISA Certified Arborist | WI-1560A
▪ Attended Treehaven Field Techniques in Natural Resources Curriculum through UWSP; 6-weeks of field
courses dedicated to the inventory and management of forest, soil, water and wildlife resources
▪ Extensive Leadership Experience – Military Career
▪ Physically Fit – Able to perform demanding tasks as needed
▪ Ability to work independently with minimal supervision or as a member of a team
▪ Extensive GPS-GIS Knowledge. Including: ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Erda Explorer &
Microsoft Office; as well as physical map reading
▪ Ability to identify trees and plants in the Midwest through sight or use of a dichotomous key
▪ Proven integrity shown via current high-level security clearance through the Air Force
▪ Thorough small engine and machine repair experience, including complete overhaul
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 17
Appendix II - Fee Proposal
Our price includes all labor, travel and lodging to complete the project as proposed. This includes three
in-person community engagement meetings and a final presentation to the City in person. It is
anticipated that all other project activities will be completed virtually to maximize cost efficiency. We are
flexible and can adjust the scope and timeline as needed to fit the City’s goals and budget as proposed
our costs total $90,894.
Project Component Line-Item Cost
Kickoff Meeting & Updates $7,595
Tree Canopy Assessment $3,296
Develop Project Work Plan $4,498
Develop Community Engagement Plan $5,142
Develop Social Media Material $2,515
Conduct Engagement Workshops (3) $18,238
Summarize Engagement Findings $2,076
Background Research $5,536
Analyze Tree Inventory Data $2,956
Analyze Tree Canopy Data $3,080
Review Regulations $3,460
Conduct SWOT & Benchmark $3,460
Develop Draft UFMP $20,425
Compile Feedback & Finalize $2,076
Prepare Presentation $1,384
Present Final UFMP $5,157
Total $90,894
5930 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266 888.972.5930 eocene.com 18
Attachment A – 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
Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.
Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.
Josh Beaver, Senior Vice President