The city of Guadalupe is in the process of finalizing its first urban forest management plan with grant money from the state to help maintain healthy trees. The plan is set to be finalized in February, but first the city is asking for suggestions from the public about their priorities for the city’s canopy.
An urban forest refers to trees in a city that can benefit the community by creating shade, mitigating flood risks, and contributing to better mental health, explained Dayanira Cruz, a Public Works engineering technician.
“Trees are vital to the community, and they have a multitude of benefits,” Cruz told the Sun. “To just have people understand how important trees are to the community, I think that’s the ultimate goal.”
Overall, the 40-year plan will serve as a reference guide for managing current and future trees. For example, as Guadalupe continues to grow, Cruz said the city wants developers and individuals to have a recommended species list when planting new trees.
“We have a lot of young trees,” Cruz said. “We really want to see those trees live a long time, and so really the goal of the 40-year plan is to just create something that is going to last a long time.”
Most of Guadalupe’s trees are on private property, so it’s important for the plan to include information for residents about how to trim trees, plant native species, and care for diseased trees, Cruz said.
“I know people want trees, it’s just a lot of times the maintenance part of it is the thing that sometimes might deter people from actually planting a tree,” Cruz said.
Cal Fire awarded the city roughly $170,000 in 2022 through the state’s urban and community forestry grant program. Since then, the city has created a GIS inventory of the city’s public trees and a map for future planting locations. The city is working alongside the environmental consulting company, Dudek, to develop the plan.
Public input opportunities will continue into 2026. The city’s first focus group took place in September, and the next session will be held virtually through Zoom on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. There will be live Spanish translation at the meeting.
Individuals who live or work in Guadalupe can also fill out a brief online survey, in English or Spanish, through Oct. 31. Participants indicate where they would like to see more trees in the city and what would encourage them to plant a tree on their property.
In addition, the city is urging residents to read the plan and attend City Council meetings to offer suggestions when the draft is under review. The meetings will likely take place in December or January, Cruz said.
“We want more urban forestry,” Cruz said. “We want to protect what we have.”
This article appears in Oct 2 – Oct 9, 2025.