Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions are environmentally sustainable approaches that target natural processes to address stormwater challenges such as pollution, runoff, and flooding. Clean Water integrates and promotes nature-based solutions into its stormwater capital projects and plans. 

Programs
Reforestation Program
Urban Tree Canopy Program
You can help 

Reforestation Program

The Reforestation Program (formerly Growing Green) enhances county-owned properties by planting native trees and shrubs. The benefits of this environmental enhancement program include: 

  • Improving water quality
  • Providing shade to keep water temperatures low
  • Providing bird and wildlife habitat
  • Protecting fish habitat
  • Controlling noxious weeds
  • Improving air quality
  • Increasing natural beauty on the property
Reforestation Program logo

Planting sites 

The Clean Water Division began the reforestation program in 2011. To date, there are 20 projects throughout the county. Planting is done on county-owned lands by county staff, Washington Conservation Corps, and community volunteers.  

Project sites completed: 

  • Salmon Creek @ Cougar Creek (2024) - 6.68-acre in Salmon Creek watershed 

  • Schriber Phase 2 (2022) – 6.55-acre in East Fork Lewis River watershed 

  • Schriber Phase 1 (2021) – 7.09-acre in East Fork Lewis River watershed 

View inventory of Clean Water Division’s reforestation projects can be viewed on Maps Online, Clark County WA. GIS or the Recreation Conservation Organization’s Salmon Recovery Portal SRP Project Map (wa.gov) 

Maps Online, Clark County WA. GIS Reforestation Projects

Salmon Recovery Portal (SRP Project Map)

Urban Tree Canopy

Urban tree canopy plays a crucial role in mitigating the environmental challenges of densely built areas. Urban tree canopy helps reduce heat, manage stormwater, improve air quality, and absorb carbon emissions. They also help combat the urban heat island effect by shading streets and buildings. Tree canopy intercept rainfall, slows runoff, and promotes infiltration, reducing flood risk and protecting water quality. Their leaves trap airborne pollutants, improving respiratory health, while their roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. As natural carbon sinks, trees play a key role in climate change mitigation. Expanding canopy coverage promotes environmental equity and ensures all residents benefit from cooler, cleaner, and healthier urban environments.

Clark County’s Urban Tree Canopy Efforts 

Mapping urban tree canopy is now a requirement under Clark County’s stormwater permit and the Comprehensive Plan. To help achieve these requirements, the Clean Water division has completed an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) in Clark County and has purchased a public subscription to the Tree Plotter tool to support urban forestry implementation.  

Pilot Tree Planting in Minnehaha Neighborhood

Clark County Public Works helped  increase the tree canopy in the Minnehaha neighborhood via a collaborative effort of Clark Conservation District, several Public Works divisions, local partners and state agencies. The Minnehaha neighborhood was identified as a high priority for tree planting due to its low Tree Equity score, which identified Minnehaha as having a lower percentage of tree canopy compared to other neighborhoods in Clark County, combined with the greatest socio-economic need. Additionally, Clark County’s Urban Tree Canopy Assessment  found that the Minnehaha neighborhood lost approximately 25 acres of trees between 2011 and 2023, a total tree canopy loss of nine percent. 

Trees were planted in county road right of way, parks property and in the right of way in front of homes. At least 250 Minnehaha residents were recruited for a free tree giveaway program in addition to 650 trees planted in parks, county right of way, and throughout the neighborhood. The goal of the program was to plant up to 1,000 trees in Minnehaha by June 30. Three volunteer tree plantings were held to help support neighborhood tree plantings in Road’s End Neighborhood Park, Bosco Farm Neighborhood Park, and Douglas Carter Fisher Neighborhood Park.

Funds for this project were provided by the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program. Learn more about this pilot planting project by reviewing the video below.

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Urban areas benefit from increased tree canopy in multiple ways. Trees can reduce a community’s temperature 11-19 degrees Fahrenheit. Relief from extreme summer temperatures is increasingly important, and low-income urban areas are more likely to suffer from urban heat island effects, where buildings, pavement and lack of shade trees increases the temperature in an urban area. Additionally, each 100 trees removes 430 pounds of air pollutants and catches about 139,000 gallons of stormwater annually. Studies show that urban tree canopy also provides economic, health and social benefits such as increased property values, increased visitation to businesses, mental health improvements, and increased social connection among residents. 

This project is part of a long-term goal to replicate and implement urban tree canopy programs in other neighborhoods throughout the Clark County Urban Growth Area. 

You can help

  • Remove invasive plant species - Plants like Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and garlic mustard are considered invasive weeds and should be removed from your property. There are several ways to remove weeds including hand removal (digging up all of the roots), chemical applications and planting native cover crops with mulch. Learn more at the county's weed control webpage.

  • Planting trees on your property - For assistance on how to pick the right tree and proper planting techniques, visit the WSU Extension web page. Trees provide shade, create oxygen, add beauty and capture a lot of rainwater. Even planting just one tree can make a big difference in our urban community. 

For more information about nature-based solutions, please call 564.397.4345 or email cleanwater@clark.wa.gov.