City Council Passes Resolution for One Year Reforestation Program

Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, lgardner@spokanecity.org

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 8:43 a.m.

During Monday’s Legislative Session, Spokane City Council approved Resolution 2025-0058 to launch a one-year reforestation pilot program in partnership with the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) to enhance the downtown Spokane tree canopy.

“I’m excited about the passage of this resolution,” said Council Member Jonathan Bingle, who sponsored the resolution. “This plan addresses the concerns of residents and business owners and uses federal grant funds to make downtown a more inviting and attractive place.”

This one-year pilot will focus on several key elements:

  • Strengthening city collaboration with the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) by developing additional outreach and engagement materials related to downtown reforestation for property owners, tenants, and residents.
  • Increasing human resources and professional development to support proactive tree stewardship with DSP.
  • Offering free technical services and support from Urban Foresters to overcome barriers to street tree planting and ensure compliance with city codes and standards.
  • Establishing a central contact point to help property owners navigate the network of city agencies involved in permitting, service, and maintenance of public infrastructure in the commercial district. 

Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry staff will oversee and manage the pilot program. Any costs associated with the pilot will be funded through the Tree Equity Spokane grant (USDA Forest Service).

About the Spokane City Council
The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Spokane, which is home to more than 229,000 people and is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The City’s 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit SpokaneCity.org/CityCouncil/ and follow us @SpokaneCityCouncil on Facebook.