Our projects and collaborations make a difference
Current Projects
city of trees challenge
client partner
challenge team
The Keystone Concept provides program development and project management for the City of Trees Challenge. This is a unique collaboration with a diverse team within City of Boise (City Council, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Climate Division, Planning and Development Services, IT / GIS, Community Engagement) and community partners (The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, Treasure Valley Canopy Network, Boise Farmers Market and City of Good).
project description
Our team launched the City of Trees Challenge (Challenge) on Arbor Day 2020 in partnership with City Council President Elaine Clegg. The Challenge partners with residents in Boise to plant 100,000 trees within the City (1 tree for every household) and 235,000 seedlings in Idaho forests (1 tree for every resident) by 2030. This is a progressive, grassroots climate challenge that will grow roots in Idaho’s Capital City “The City of Trees” and expand across Idaho, the US and potentially the world.
updates
Stay up-to-date on the Challenge on our webpage at www.CityOfTreesChallenge.org
green communities leadership institute
collaborators
Institute Core Leadership Team
Project Description
As we wrestled with the impacts of COVID-19 in 2020, we recognized a critical need to empower next-level leaders who are prepared to evolve, adapt and rise to the collective challenges facing our industry and society. The first two years of the Institute have graduated over 40 leaders from across the USA. The 2024 cohort started their journey in January and will conclude with 1 week of in-person sessions in Knoxville, TN in March.
Updates
Meet our cohort & core leadership team on our Institute webpage and engage with us on social media on LinkedIn
urban wood network “from coast to coast”
collaborators
Urban Wood Network, Treasure Valley Canopy Network, Colorado State Forest Service & additional partners and collaborators across the US.
Project Description
The Keystone Concept began working together with Urban Wood Network (UWN) around 2017 when we recognized the need and opportunity to develop a national organization dedicated to advancing a circular urban wood economy from coast to coast across the United States. Today, TKC supports UWN leadership and urban wood stakeholders across the country who are interested in advancing this work that is critical to support healthy and thriving urban and community forestry programs and reduce waste to the landfill.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS TO-DATE
Stay-tuned for continued growth of UWN partnerships, projects and programs across the US.
Wood River Valley
Collaborative Forest restoration
Client Partner
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept (TKC) provides project management, stakeholder collaboration and facilitation in partnership with Ecosystem Sciences Foundation (ESF).
Project Description
Our team has been working with Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Wood River Valley communities, Blaine County and over 30 public, private and non-profit organizations to build the tools and resources to improve forest health and resiliency in the valley for over 4 years. In 2019, IDL was awarded a USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Grant that provides financial assistance complete a GIS mapping project, produce community management plans and build a long-term impactful forest collaborative in the valley.
Updates
This project was launched in January 2021 and is now in its final phase where we are funding on-the-ground projects throughout 2024 that will: plant trees in neighborhoods of greatest need and to support downtown revitalization efforts; perform forest health treatments that will remove dead, dying and diseased trees in communities; invest in high-value riparian restoration projects; and conduct a valley-wide tree inventory that will include: Cities of Hailey, Sun Valley, Ketchum and Bellevue.
The planning tools are being developed using the data developed through a collaborative GIS Assessment produced in December 2021.
The following Community Forest Management Plans were published in Summer 2023 and help prioritize future investments in the region’s infrastructure to improve: air quality, water quality, climate resilience, quality of life and economic development opportunities.
To learn more about this project, our collaborations and the impact in the Valley, view our August 11, 2021 webinar hosted by USDA Forest Service “Collaborations to Advance Forest Resilience in Idaho’s Sun Valley”
Treasure Valley Canopy Network
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS
Treasure Valley Canopy Network Board of Directors & Contributing Members
Project Description
The Keystone Concept helped found the Treasure Valley Canopy Network (Network) in 2013 and continues to serve in the role of Executive Director. The Network collaborates to develop sustainable projects, programs and policies that will enhance quality of life for Treasure Valley communities.
Updates
The Network was recognized as an Idaho Non-Profit 501(c)3 Organization in April 2021. Together with the Network’s Board of Directors, we are now growing our programming and member support, advancing a number of impactful projects and programs across Idaho’s Treasure Valley, including:
Shade City Brewfest - hosted by Idaho Botanical Garden, Lost Grove Brewing & TV Canopy Network on Earth Day weekend every years
View the 2023 Network Impact Report here
additional Projects CURRENTLY underWay
Boise State University Resource Nexus for Sustainability Grand Challenge - As a key community partner and private sector advisor on the Resource Nexus team, TKC is invested in helping Boise State University develop high-impact university and community collaborations across Idaho.
Rain to Roots Master Plan - We’re collaborating with City of Tempe’s Sustainability Division and alongside the consulting team led by Greeley Hansen / TYLin to build a citywide vision and plan for a cool and resilient city in Tempe, Arizona.
Southwest Idaho All Lands Partnership - We’re providing strategic stakeholder engagement and communication to support National Forest Foundation (NFF), USDA Forest Service and over 50 regional stakeholders who are charged with advancing landscape-scale forest management in this high priority landscape.
Sacramento Tree Foundation - We’re collaborating with the Operations Manager to evaluate current systems and co-develop a business plan to enhance the effectiveness of the Urban Wood Rescue Program.
Building sustainability platforms and climate action in collaboration with small business and community partners
Completed Projects
client partner
King County and City of Seattle, Washington
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept partnered with Consor, Equilibrium Economics and Batker Consulting to develop an ecosystem services valuation of King County and City of Seattle’s compost and biosolids programs.
Project Description
The “Ecosystem Services: The Value of Organic Amendments for King County and Seattle” report was developed by a collaboration of agency stakeholders and the project consulting team to inform policy-makers, decision-makers and staff about: (1) the ecosystem service values of the current organic amendment programs (both food/yard waste compost and biosolids); (2) The potential future value and markets for the organic amendments, given potential investments in waste stream processing infrastructure. This report showcases the value of organic amendments in creating healthy soils, which in turn provide a foundation for a healthy economy by supporting the region’s natural capital.
Staff and leadership at King County and Seattle can use this report to: inform and justify current and future investments in the region’s organic amendments programs to ratepayers; improve efficiency and effectiveness of organic amendments programs through enhanced education, and therefore compliance and participation with organics recycling programs
Explore Ecosystem Services: The Value of Organic Amendments for King County and City of Seattle
client partner
City of Plymouth, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Department
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept partnered with Davey Resource Group to build a Community Forestry Roadmap in collaboration with Plymouth’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Project Description
The City of Plymouth Community Forestry Roadmap (The Roadmap) is a collaborative planning effort between Plymouth’s Parks & Recreation Department, several aligned departments and divisions within the City, and the consultant team of Davey Resource Group and The Keystone Concept. This Roadmap is the culmination of over 12 months of program analysis, goal setting and collaborative visioning focused on charting a path for long-term health and resilience of Plymouth’s community forest in alignment with the City’s Mission and CIVIC Values.
Client Partner
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept provided stakeholder engagement and project facilitation to support our core project team which included: Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Ecosystem Sciences Foundation (ESF) and Equilibrium Economics (EE).
Project Description
Idaho’s Natural Capital Assessment communicates the ecosystem service value of Idaho’s natural resources for: air quality, water quality, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, recreation and more. The data and tools developed by this assessment help local, state and federal land managers effectively manage and grow thriving and more resilient forests, agricultural lands and communities across the state. communities across the state.
Explore Idaho’s Natural Capital Assessment
Client Partner
Snohomish Conservation District
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept assisted Terra Firma and the Snohomish Conservation District team with stakeholder interviews and development of the Trees for Resilience Toolkit.
Project Description
Welcome to Trees for Resilience, a compendium of local and national research, case studies, and resources specially curated to help regional decision-makers, planners, and managers integrate urban forests and tree canopy into the fabric of the community for greater livability and resilience. Explore the site to gather resources, models and ideas of how your community can enhance and grow the impact of your urban forests, sustain projects and programs, and improve health and resilience for all.
Explore the toolkit & re-imagine your urban forestry program
Client Partner
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept provided stakeholder collaboration and facilitation in partnership with: Davey Resource Group and The Davey Institute.
Project Description
Our team built resources to support the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) response platform for Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), the Colorado EAB Response Team and stakeholders across Colorado’s Front Range.
Updates
This project was completed in Summer 2022. All project resources can be found on the Colorado State Forest Service Your Ash is on the Line website.
client partner
City of Nampa, Parks and Recreation Department
Consultant team & project description
The Keystone Concept partnered with Casual Creative to provide assistance to Nampa’s City Forester with final content and design for the city’s first comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan. Together, we created a plan that will chart the future for a strong and growing urban forestry program within this rapidly growing city in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
City of snoqualmie
natural infrastructure assessment
Client Partner
King Conservation District & City of Snoqualmie
Consultant Team
The Keystone Concept was lead consultant providing project management & collaboration in partnership with Equilibrium Economics and Ecosystem Sciences.
Project Description
Our team produced an Ecosystem Service Valuation for City of Snoqualmie’s Urban Forest. Ecosystem Services valued include: stormwater retention, water quality and carbon sequestration.
results
The City of Snoqualmie Natural Infrastructure Assessment was completed in early July 2020. The information generated from this Assessment informed increased funding allocation for Snoqualmie’s Urban Forestry Program and funding attributed from the city’s stormwater utility.
This project continues to have a lasting impact in the City of Snoqualmie where city leaders recognize the benefits of the Snoqualmie's natural infrastructure and are investing in growth of the Community Forestry Program in partnership with Urban Forester, Philip Bennett.
Puget Sound
Urban Forestry and Stormwater Management
client partner
Consultant team
The Keystone Concept provided project management and facilitated stakeholder engagement in collaboration with: Terra Firma Consulting, Plan-It Geo and Herrera
Project Description
Our team conducted a regional stormwater analysis of four pilot communities (Snohomish, Kirkland, Kent and Tacoma) within King and Snohomish Counties. The analysis evaluated accuracy and efficacy of the role the urban forest plays in stormwater mitigation in the Puget Sound Region of Western Washington.
Results
Puget Sound Urban Tree Management and Stormwater TECHNICAL REPORT
South Platte Natural Capital Resource Assessment
Client Partners
CO State Forest Service, US Forest Service, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Consultant team
The Keystone Concept provided project management and facilitates stakeholder engagement in collaboration with: Ecosystem Sciences Foundation, Plan-It Geo, Earth Economics
Project Description
The South Platte Watershed Natural Capital -- From Mountains to Plains Resource Assessment, also called the South Platte Natural Capital Project, is a collaborative green infrastructure assessment that supports the Colorado State Forest Service in partnership with the South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership.
Results
South Platte Natural Capital Asset Map and Decision Support Tool
City of Boise
Community Forest management plan
Client partner
City of Boise, Parks and Recreation Department
consultant team
The Keystone Concept provided project management and facilitated stakeholder engagement in collaboration with: Ecosystem Sciences and Terra Firma Consulting
Project Description
This collaborative strategic management plan will guide the City of Boise's Community Forestry Program for the next ten years (2016-2026).