North Las Vegas launches urban forestry community survey

The City of North Las Vegas launched its first Urban Forestry Community Survey, inviting residents to share feedback on neighborhood shade and local environmental priorities as municipal officials work to expand the city’s tree canopy.

The survey, accessible online through Oct. 31 at cityofnorthlasvegas.com/forestry, is designed to help direct municipal resources toward the city’s long-term goal of planting 35,100 climate-adapted trees by 2051 in ongoing collaboration with nonprofit partner Impact NV.

North Las Vegas established its Municipal Forestry program in 2023 to strategically plant trees across neighborhoods and mitigate local urban heat islands. City planners noted that adding shade trees lowers ground surface and ambient air temperatures, which improves household energy efficiency and reduces heat-related health risks for residents. North Las Vegas currently maintains an estimated 2.9% tree canopy coverage, with plans to expand that coverage to 4% over the next 25 years.

Parks and Recreation Director Doug Guild underscored the value of neighborhood-level feedback in shaping the city’s environmental roadmap.

“The Urban Forestry Management Plan will help guide how we grow and manage North Las Vegas’ urban forest in the years ahead,” Guild said. “Hearing directly from our residents is an important part of that process and will help us better understand community priorities as we plan for a healthier, more sustainable tree canopy throughout the city.”

To bolster canopy growth on private property, the city partnered with Nevada Plants to distribute complimentary trees directly to residents. The program has supplied more than 700 trees to local households to date, with plans to host at least two annual giveaway events to provide an additional 400 trees each year. Across public parks, streets and municipal facilities, city crews have planted nearly 2,200 trees over the past two years.

Residents can take the survey and review details on upcoming tree distribution events and municipal forestry goals through the city’s forestry portal at cityofnorthlasvegas.com/forestry.