Encouraged by SCVBA, GreenSpacesMV, and the Sierra Club, the Mountain View City Council took important steps to place nature, biodiversity, and everyday access to green space at the core of its Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan. Community input emphasized that trees, pollinator habitat, shade, and unprogrammed green space are essential park features, not optional add-ons.

Council responded. Members supported reframing the vision to “put nature first,” and in a 6 to 1 vote elevated biodiversity, including natural parks, to a standalone goal. Council also directed staff to revisit how trails are counted to ensure equity and to re-examine privately owned open spaces (POPAs) so they do not substitute for meaningful public parks. The discussion also highlighted the need to integrate nature into everyday park management, not just major capital projects.

The revised draft reflects these improvements. Biodiversity and natural parks are now clearly elevated, and natural elements are better recognized as core park amenities.

What comes next: Implementation.

This includes taking every opportunity, large and small, to enhance habitat, increase native planting, and expand tree canopy across the park system. These improvements should occur not only through major projects but also through routine upgrades and maintenance.

Recent City-led projects show why follow-through matters. At the planned police and fire headquarters, the City proposes removing 76 trees, including 42 heritage trees, with limited native replacement . The Parks and Recreation Commission pushed back, citing insufficient canopy and lack of native planting, and called for a revised plan.

City projects should set the standard. We hope future projects fully reflect the strengthened direction of the Strategic Plan and consistently deliver on its commitments to biodiversity, canopy, and habitat.