Natural Resources

GOAL: Preserve, conserve, protect and manage the area’s natural resources in a manner that supports the community’s economic and social vitality.

FOCUS AREAS:

• Water Resources
• Air Quality
• Nontraditional Pollution
• Natural Areas and Urban Tree Canopy

Water Resources

The City continues to protect water resources through a variety of proactive efforts, including 19 million gallons per day of reclaimed water used for irrigation of crops, public areas, golf courses and roadsides.

TAPP

The City’s Think About Personal Pollution (TAPP) program is designed to educate residents on ways that small personal changes in home and yard practices can help protect local water resources. In 2024, TAPP facilitated:

• 17 community workshops and outreach events, reaching over 650 participants
• 8 rain gardens, including a large-scale rain garden at Goodwood Museum and Gardens

Protecting Air Quality

The City continues to strive for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon intensity from its electric power generation activities. The City’s carbon intensity, a measure of how cleanly electricity is produced, continues to hold steady at 0.45 tons CO2/MWh, representing a 45% reduction from 1990 levels.

Urban Forestry

Fostering a healthy urban tree canopy increases air quality, mitigates stormwater runoff and heat island effects and contributes to Tallahassee’s unique character. Tree planting and habitat restoration efforts continue to be a focus. Some of the City’s urban forestry efforts in 2024 included:

• 300 trees planted through the Adopt-a-Tree program
• 75 native hardwoods planted in Myers Park to commemorate Arbor Day and the park’s 100th anniversary
• 100 native trees given to residents by both the Florida Forest Service and the City of Tallahassee during the Myers Park Arbor Day event
• 100+ trees planted along the Indian Head Greenway and additional native ground cover plants installed at Brinkley Glen Park

Neighborhood Clean Up

The City supports opportunities for residents and businesses to help keep their neighborhoods clean through organized litter cleanups year-round. Through the Adopt-a-Street program, in partnership with Keep Tallahassee Beautiful, efforts in 2024 included:

• 570 clean up events held
• 2,750+ volunteer hours donated
• 950+ bags of trash collected