Urban Parks and Forestry Board Meeting - June 25, 2026

The Urban Parks and Forestry Board met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, a biannual report on Sunset Hills Cemetery, and a work session on the 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) update, reviewing public survey results and preliminary tree data. A director update covered current projects and seasonal operations.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes from May 28, 2026: Motion by Steve Lowry, seconded. Approved unanimously (Brian Baru, Terry Lumson, Matthew Curtan, Joe Carwright all voting yes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• One written public comment was received before the noon deadline and entered into the record. No in-person or video conference public comments were offered for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Sunset Hills Cemetery Biannual Report: Cemetery Coordinator Shane Serber presented an overview of operations. Key points: 73 acres in use out of roughly 55+ additional developable acres; approximately 145 burials per year (including ash and full casket); five columbariums with 80 niches each; the Southwest Montana Veterans Cemetery now has 34 spaces filled with two columbariums and in-ground ash burial underway; irrigation switched from treated water to a surface right from Bozeman Creek via a pump station; staffing of 3 full-time plus one 6-month seasonal and four 90-day workers. Board questions covered lot prices ($1,865 for full-size, ~$1,150 for ash lot), the perpetual care fund, and user groups (Bridger Ski Foundation, cyclocross, youth cycling) which pay fees under seasonal agreements. The board noted the cemetery is heavily subsidized but provides a valued community service.
• Urban Forest Management Plan Work Session: Consultant Josh Elliott (DJA), Hannah Coons, and Matt Ermson (Planet Geo) presented. Public Survey Results: 137 respondents completed the 38-question survey; majority were homeowners over 55 and had lived in Bozeman over 20 years. Four key takeaways: (1) strong support for maintaining existing public trees and increasing new plantings, with concern about mature tree removal; (2) split opinion on city involvement with private trees – about 40% support requiring permits for removal, 40% oppose, many neutral – but general agreement on desire for education; (3) interest in species diversity and native species selection, especially for wildlife and pollinators; (4) desire for tree maintenance education (pruning, care) via volunteer events or classes. Preliminary Tree Data: Public tree inventory of 28,459 trees; 59% are young (0-6" diameter at breast height). Condition: 44% good, 29% fair, 2% excellent, remainder poor/very poor/dead. Ash comprises 22% of public trees (down from 47% in 2016), exceeding the 10-20-30 diversity guideline. Canopy cover estimated at 9.8% (recommended baseline). Recommended 20-year goal of 12% canopy, requiring ~871 new trees planted per year. Maintenance gap: current pruning averages 1,988 trees/year versus recommended 7,200/year under industry standard 7-year (large trees) and 3-year (young trees) cycles. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) not yet in Montana but considered high risk; phased removal of poor-condition ash and retention of high-value trees recommended. Board discussion covered species diversity, future development, tree equity, and the need to engage younger and renter demographics in future outreach.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Information only; no formal votes taken on UFMP items. Next steps: draft UFMP to be provided to the board in approximately two weeks; next board work session scheduled in about one month; city commission update at end of July; public comment period and meetings in August; final plan expected to go to commission for approval later this year.
• Director Update: Parks and Recreation Director reported a busy season with large construction projects (Westlake BMX, Sports Park, Bike Fill trails, splash pad opening planned for June 26). Bogert Pool renovations will begin after the season. Southwood Park ribbon cutting celebrated a new 24-acre community park on the south side. Bird survey for Bike Fill was completed by Audubon. Staff burnout was noted as a concern, encouraging self-care.