The Kansas City Zoo Horticulture Department was awarded a Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (T.R.I.M.) grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation. The grant, a matching grant in the amount of $10,000, was earmarked to survey, identify and GPS map the Zoo’s tree collection, specifically trees that are in need of pruning or removal due to normal maintenance, injury or decay. The 202 acre Kansas City Zoo is located within Swope Park that boasts nearly 1,800 acres.
The T.R.I.M. grant is a competitive cost-share program provided and administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forestry Council and the U.S. Forest Service. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for the management, improvement or conservation of the urban and community forest.
The Missouri Department of Conservation money was matched with a grant from Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI). Mapping software as well as maintenance, training and support were provided through ESRI.
The project mapped 1752 trees and 38 stumps comprised of 119 species representing 62 genera using GPS technology. Only the trees on the “topside” of the Zoo (Tiger Trail, Australia, KidZone and the shortcut to Africa areas) were inventoried, about 100 acres.
“This count makes the Zoo a fairly diverse urban forest. Trees are an important component to any landscape especially at a zoo. Trees not only provide shade but act as windbreaks, help stabilize soil by controlling erosion, provide habitat for wildlife and much more,” commented, Bryn Takle, Horticulture Manager.
Africa and the remaining areas of the Zoo and will be inventoried as part of phase 2. The Zoo plans to apply again next year for funds through the T.R.I.M. grant to finish this project.
Gathering information on the horticultural collection is the first step towards mapping the entire Zoo which will include pathways, drinking fountains, buildings, etc, as well as underground utilities. Having a comprehensive map of each of these items will allow zoo employees to be more efficient in their daily activities as well as providing guests with details of the botanical resources we have within our Zoo.
Kansas City Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is only $5, now through February due to Africa being closed for construction of new viewing decks and an air conditioned lion viewing area. And, as always, FOTZ members are free. Call (816) 513-5800, or visit our web site www.kansascityzoo.org for more information.
