Welcome to Wildfire Resilient Landscapes
Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience (UTRR)
A Proposed Program of Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL)
By Debbie Hanson
Introduction
In neighborhoods across Los Angeles, sidewalks are dotted with stumps where shade trees once stood. Years of drought, wildfire, pests, and aging urban trees have reduced canopy cover, leaving behind bare concrete and hotter streets. Without intervention, these spaces remain empty, and residents lose the benefits of shade, biodiversity, and fire-resilient trees that are essential for healthy and safe communities.
What We Plan to Do
- Identify and assess sites where sidewalk stumps block replanting.
- Collaborate with licensed crews and city partners to safely remove stumps and prepare planting spaces.
- Replant with native, drought-tolerant, and fire-resilient trees such as oaks, sycamores, and toyon.
- Engage residents and volunteers in planting and basic tree care, building local stewardship and awareness.
Why This Matters
- Resilience to climate change – Urban tree canopy reduces the risk of wildfire spread, lowers extreme heat, and supports long-term community safety.
- Stronger communities – Restoring sidewalk planting spaces improves neighborhood health, walkability, and beauty while fostering community pride.
- Ecological restoration – Native trees anchor ecosystems, support pollinators and birds, stabilize soil, and contribute to climate adaptation.
Our Vision
This proposal begins with a small pilot project that clears and replants a group of neighborhood tree wells. With the right partnerships and support, the Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience program can expand across Los Angeles, restoring lost canopy and advancing the mission of Wildfire Resilient Landscapes: to reduce wildfire risk, rebuild native ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience.
Join Wildfire Resilient Landscapes and Native Plants Nursery in Changing Lives
Case for Support
Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience (UTRR)
A program of Wildfire Resilient Landscapes
The Need
Los Angeles has thousands of empty sidewalk tree wells blocked by old stumps. Years of drought, wildfires, pests, and aging trees have reduced canopy cover, especially in low-income neighborhoods, which are most vulnerable to extreme heat and fire. The City of Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division faces a large backlog of stump removals, leaving many streets bare and exposed.
Without trees, neighborhoods lose shade, biodiversity, and protection from rising temperatures. Native and fire-resilient trees are essential for cooling streets, reducing wildfire spread, stabilizing soil, and creating healthier communities.
Our Solution
The Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience (UTRR) program will pilot a community-based model that:
- Removes hazardous stumps and restores sidewalk planting spaces.
- Replants native, drought-tolerant, and fire-resilient trees such as oaks, sycamores, and toyon.
- Engages residents, schools, and volunteers in planting and stewardship.
- Builds a scalable model for accelerating canopy renewal across Los Angeles.
Pilot Budget
The cost to prepare, plant, and care for 10 sites is $6,500 to $12,000.
- Site preparation (stump grinding and soil restoration): $2,500–$7,000
- Tree procurement and planting materials: $1,000–$1,500
- Community engagement and education: $1,000
- Monitoring and evaluation: $500
- Administration and permitting: $1,500–$2,500
Funding Strategy
We are pursuing a mix of support that combines grants, sponsorships, and community-driven fundraising:
- Grants from CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and local foundations such as Liberty Hill and Annenberg.
- Sponsorships through an Adopt a Stump campaign, where $500–$1,000 restores one site.
- Community fundraising through crowdfunding, Seed the Change starter kits, and planting events.
- Partnerships with the City of Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division, TreePeople, City Plants, and neighborhood councils.
- In-kind support includes mulch, supplies, and volunteer engagement.
Your Impact
Every investment in UTRR has a direct result: a stump cleared, a tree planted, and a community made more resilient to heat and wildfire. By supporting this pilot, you help create cooler, safer, and greener neighborhoods while building a model that can be scaled across Los Angeles.
Rresilient Trees for a cooling green canopy
Supporting Wildfire Resilient Landscapes and Native Plants Nursery Means Supporting Your Community
Fire-Resilient Trees for Southern California
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
A keystone evergreen oak native to coastal Southern California, with dense foliage and deep roots that make it highly fire-resilient and ecologically vital.
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
An ideal fire-safe shade tree native to coastal California—endorsed by local fire departments for its relatively fire-resistant traits.
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
A versatile evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its moderate fire resistance, drought tolerance, and cultural significance as “California holly”.
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
An evergreen tree that often survives fire damage through rapid resprouting. Its berries support many native bird species, making it ecologically rich and resilient.
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)
One of California’s most drought-adapted deciduous oaks. It's tough, leathery leaves and deep roots help it withstand fire and drought; it’s also resistant to sudden oak death.
California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii)
A resilient deciduous oak that survives fire by resprouting from its root crown. It provides rich habitat and food for wildlife and adapts well to fire-prone landscapes.
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
A fire-tolerant conifer with thick basal bark. It often survives lower-intensity fires and resprouts effectively after disturbance—making it a smart choice for fire-resilient plantings.
Bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa)
This native conifer has extremely thick bark and the ability to regrow buds even after crown fires—traits that enable it to recover with vigor after intense wildfire events.
