Kansas City Missouri to Grow Urban Forest Under New Plan

Urban landscapes traditionally exist with very little greenery outside of parks. True there are some trees in downtown areas, but many of them are old and not in good condition. When those are removed, historically they haven’t been replaced.

A study from 2018 determined that there was plenty of room for tree growth within Kansas City. Then in 2023 the city made a promise to plant 10,000 trees by 2026 using a $12,000,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

Trees within the urban-scape provide several benefits. Keeping street temperature down, absorbing carbon and reducing greenhouse gasses. They also help with storm water absorption that lessens flooding.

The city is about halfway to that 10,000 tree goal, which, in addition to planting trees along the streets includes trees given to residents to be planted on their property too. On the opposite end almost as many old trees have had to be removed over that time creating a shrinking effect, as the trees removed were far larger than the new trees planted.

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This project will take years to complete and countless hours of supervision, care and maintenance. There is no guarantee that the U.S. Forest Service will have another grant ready to hand out to Kansas City for the project. If the concept is going to take root (pun intended) it needs to soon, at least within the minds of the people living there.

It may seem counter intuitive to plan for more trees in a concrete and steel dominated area, but you need to think big to achieve big things. Changing the perspective of city residents, workers and visitors has to start somewhere. Cities that have done a good job of incorporating trees into the urban area include: Austin, TX. Charlotte, NC. and Denver, CO.

The project will need the help of those living in Kansas City to buy in. At some point financially, but more importantly to feel a sense of ownership and community to pitch in and help, and not perceive this as something being done for them by someone else. If the canopy is to be achieved it will need far more than a grant and city workers to become a reality.