NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
In addition to overseeing the operations and maintenance of Kansas City's 219 public parks, Natural Resources Management is responsible for the implementation of several specialized Citywide Services.

Forestry & Conservation
Forestry & Conservation is a program of Parks and Recreation that oversees the management of the City's trees in the right-of-ways located along streets and boulevards. The division's management philosophy is to provide a holistic approach in managing the urban forest. In addition to performing the actual service, foresters can issue permits to citizens to perform pruning, removal and planting of trees themselves. There is no cost to a resident for obtaining a tree permit.

• Storm response: This division is prepared to respond to any emergency involving city street trees 24 hours a day. Generally, emergencies involving street trees result from severe thunder, wind, snow and rain storms. In an emergency, an urban forester is dispatched to the problem location. If necessary, a crew will be called upon to assist with the problem. During large storms, several crews may be dispatched. This could include both city crews and emergency contract crews from the private sector. Should there be damage or loss of property, the urban forester will process a City Damage Report.
   
• Tree pruning: Tree pruning is the most frequently requested service. Pruning is done by city and contractor crews. Over the past two years, a systematic method of pruning has been developed to address individual service requests while pruning entire city blocks in a cyclical manner.
   
• Tree planting: Tree planting funds are supplemented through various grants and the Kessler Society to provide low-cost trees for citizens interested in planting trees in city right-of-ways. Although funds may not always be available for a specific council district, the staff will place your name on a waiting list for when funds do become available. The foresters will also can issue a tree planting permit to citizens interested in planting a tree themselves.
   
• Tree removal: Kansas City has what is termed a "mature" urban forest. A mature forest will have large, stately trees that create an attractive appearance of arched or cathedral ceilings along streets. However, as a result of the mature forest, many of these trees are very old and may go into "decline." Foresters identify trees that have become hazardous (partially dead, completely dead or structurally unstable) and schedules them for removal.  These removals are performed by in-house crews and outside contractors.
   
• Cooperative projects: Foresty & Conservation works with a variety of public and private utility agencies to ensure utility issues that have a direct impact on city trees will be appropriately handled. This division actively works with the Public Works Department, Water Services, Kansas City Power & Light, and Missouri Gas Energy.

• Rain Gardens
  Rain gardens can absorb 30 percent more water than the same size area of lawn.  Learn the Why, Where, What and How of building a rain garden.  
  

To inquire about tree permits, tree planting and removal, call (816) 513-9550. For emergency services or to report storm damage, contact the 3-1-1 Action Center.

Landscape & Florticulture Services
The purpose of Landscape & Florticulture Services is to enhance Kansas City's parks, boulevards, parkways and public spaces by providing and maintaining landscape beds and floral displays consisting of annuals, perennials and woody plant materials. Targeted service goals include:

• Prune numerous landscaped areas (perennials,shrubs and small trees) on boulevards, parkways and in selected highly visible and intensely used "signature" park areas once a year.
   
• Assist with the renovations of existing landscape beds and establish new landscape beds where needed.
   
• Plant all floral displays by May 31 of each year.
  
• Maintain and weed all floral displays throughout the growing season on a 14-day cycle for an approximate total of 10 cycles.  Fertilize and water as weather conditions dictate.
   
• Prompt removal of all floral displays at the end of each growing season (October).
  

Ice and Snow Emergency Response Services

Parks and Recreation works in partnership with Public Works in providing emergency ice and snow removal services on all boulevards, parkways, park roads, public roads, sidewalks, trails and park facility parking lots to provide safe conditions for public use during periods of inclement winter weather.

This division is responsible for a total of 13 ice/snow routes encompassing 242 Boulevard/Parkway curb miles, 260 public street curb miles, 15 Parks road miles, 43 parking lots, sidewalks and trails as needed.

Emergency Response Services are coordinated through the Public Works Ice/Snow Command Center. In 2008/2009, approximately 21 occurrences of snow/ice removal were performed requiring 8,016 dedicated staff hours.