The Grandview-Woodland area currently has a 1:1 grey-green ratio, demonstrating low canopy cover, limited biodiversity, and restricted access to green space for residents. The goals of this project are to preserve and protect the urban forest with interventions that are guided by ecological processes to benefit the community and the city as a whole. Interventions were developed to meet the goal of the Vancouver Urban Forest Strategy which aims to increase canopy coverage to 30% by 2050. Additionally, this project aims to integrate and support policy plans including the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan and the City of Vancouver Rain City Strategy.

On public land, a green network is proposed with an integral component consisting of a major greenway along East Hastings street to support sustainable travel while providing ecosystem services, and multiple green alleys across the industrial and residential zone. These greenways are significant to promote street tree planting and enhance regional green space connectivity. Within the community, areas with limited space were identified to implement rain gardens to mitigate stormwater runoff and provide habitat for urban fauna.

Private land is also considered through community engagement strategies such as Teaching Trees and a Festival of Trees that will both inform and inspire residents to plant trees in their own yards. Information on recommended tree species and their climate mitigation benefits have been provided in scannable QR codes that can be hung on Teaching Trees in the neighbourhood. We would also like to create a festival event at Pandora Park that celebrates trees to further encourage private tree planting. This festival will incorporate the art, culture and science of trees while demonstrating the ecosystem services they provide us.

Interventions:
Growing Green Streets
1. Regional green networks: East Hastings St.
2. Rain gardens

Growing Green Hearts:
1. Teaching Trees
2. Annual Festival of Trees