Natural Resources
Trees and greenspaces cool our city, support wildlife, improve water and air quality, and provide recreational opportunities to our community.
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) identifies three natural resource goals:
- Increase climate resilience and carbon sequestration potential of public and private lands.
- Reduce per capita water usage.
- Reduce negative impacts from stormwater runoff and flooding.
Natural Resources
Be Part of the Solution!
Columbia has a wealth of natural resources that help keep our air and water clean and provide recreational benefits.
Land Management
Protecting Our Plants and Animals
When there are many different creatures that do similar jobs, an ecosystem is stronger. This way, if one species declines, another can take its place. The actions in the CAAP focus on controlling invasive plants; increasing the variety, number and health of street trees and taking care of our natural spaces to keep our urban ecosystems balanced. Our best success comes from working together with groups like local neighborhood associations, non-profits, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. We track the change in our urban ecosystems over time with a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). The NRI uses aerial photos and mapping to identify natural areas of local and regional importance.
Land Management
Natural Resources Inventory
Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) uses aerial imagery and mapping to identify areas of local and regional importance. These important areas include landscape features like streams, trees, buildings, roads, and plants. The study area encompasses the City of Columbia limits and most of the Columbia Metropolitan Area. City staff added lands surrounding the airport, south of town because of ecological importance, and northeast of Columbia, where staff expects development to expand quickly.
The six basic land cover classes in this natural resources inventory are:
- Forest
- Streams and Wetlands
- Grassland
- Cropland
- Impervious (e.g., roads, buildings, etc.)
- Bare Ground (e.g., bare soil, scant vegetation)
NRI Report summarizes the results for each land class and provides context for possible future applications. Read the whole report here or explore the data through this interactive map.
Land Management
Protecting and Conserving Habitat
Collectively, Columbia’s various city departments manage thousands of acres of municipal-owned land. These parcels are in the shape of roadside plantings, parks, trails, soccer fields and designated natural areas. The sites that we manage—along roadsides, natural areas, or along City-maintained easement areas—offer many opportunities to enhance Columbia’s resilience to climate change impacts by increasing the number of plant and animal species.
Land Management
CoMo Wild Yards Program
The majority of the land in Columbia is privately-owned. Subdividing land tracts creates habitat fragmentation and loss. Without habitat continuity, many wildlife species are unable to find mates or gather enough food to sustain themselves. As a result, many critters will either emigrate or die. Homeowners and businesses that include native plants in their landscaping and eliminate the use of pesticides make Columbia a more biodiverse city. To take these steps toward building a more resilient community, you can get expert advice from City staff and volunteers on how to convert your non-native turf grass or ornamental garden into a wildlife habitat. Learn how to use native plants to maximize your yard and save money on your utility bill. Check out our website for more information!
Land Management
More Trees, Please!
Trees clean our air, provide shade and habitat, and minimize the impact of flooding in our neighborhoods. In 2017, Columbia reported an urban tree canopy of 36%, meaning that 36% of our community is covered by the layers of tree leaves, branches and stems that provide coverage of the ground when viewed from above. Columbia aims to increase its tree canopy coverage to mitigate heat stress and stormwater runoff in the city. Learn more about our tree canopy on our Urban Forest Master Plan story map.
Water Conservation
Water Conservation Solutions
One of the goals laid out in the CAAP is to reduce per capita water usage. Actions include updating the rate structure and building codes to promote water conservation. Outdoor water use accounts for up to 30% of residential usage. Reducing areas of turf grass in favor of more native plants and using smarter irrigation system controls can reduce the amount of drinking-quality water used outside.
Water Conservation
Managing Stormwater Runoff
The Stormwater Utility was established to fund the implementation of stormwater management projects and the maintenance of existing stormwater drainage facilities.
In 2002, the Stormwater Utility began financing projects, educational initiatives, and outreach activities aimed at addressing stormwater quality and meeting regulatory requirements. Boone County, the City of Columbia, and the University of Missouri are co-permittees under a Phase II MS4 Permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program consists of six elements known as "minimum control measures." When these measures are effectively implemented, they should significantly reduce the pollutants discharged into local water bodies.
Stormwater management is concerned with two main issues: the volume and timing of runoff (which relates to flood control and water supply) and the potential contaminants carried by the water, which contribute to water pollution.
