Mobile Tree Trial

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Mobile (FUA)

Region

Northern America

Short description of the intervention

The Mobile Tree Trail is a nature-based solutions (NBS) initiative aimed at preserving Mobile, Alabama’s urban forest while celebrating its cultural and ecological heritage (Ref 1, Ref 2). First established in the early 1990s by volunteers, the original trail featured 24 iconic trees, selected for their historical significance, environmental value, and beauty (Ref 1, Ref 2). Over the years, some trees were lost to development and storms, and the trail faded into obscurity (Ref 1, Ref 4).
From 2021, the Mobile Tree Commission, with support from The Nature Conservancy, is leading efforts to revive the trail (Ref 3, Ref 6). Activities include reviewing past entries, opening public nominations, and selecting new trees that best represent Mobile’s identity (Ref 3, Ref 4). The project emphasises inclusivity and public participation, welcoming volunteers and local input to shape a trail that evolves with the city (Ref 4, Ref 6).
Mobile faces environmental threats such as hurricanes, urban expansion, and loss of native tree cover (Ref 1, Ref 6). The revitalised trail helps address these challenges by promoting awareness, conserving old-growth specimens like the 300-year-old Duffie Oak, and maintaining vital green spaces (Ref 4, Ref 6).
The Mobile Tree Trail blends education, tourism, and conservation, enhancing urban resilience while telling the city’s story through its trees (Ref 3, Ref 6).

Principal problems

Land use and Socio-economic change

Rapid urbanization

Unequal availability and access to public green spaces

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Address

150 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36607, United States
Mobile, 36607
United States

Location

The NBS area is spread over a linear space, the GIS coordinates serve as points along a line (e.g. along a river)

Area boundary (map-based)

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Public Greenspace Area

Central Business District / City Centre

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

unknown

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2021

End date of the intervention

ongoing

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

-Preserve and showcase Mobile’s historic and iconic trees, some of which are centuries old and serve as living witnesses to the city’s past (Ref 1, Ref 2, Ref 6)
-Revive and maintain the Mobile Tree Trail as a unique cultural and environmental asset, ensuring it does not fall into obscurity again (Ref 3, Ref 4)
-Engage the public through open nominations and volunteer opportunities, inviting community input to shape the evolving trail (Ref 3, Ref 4)
-Educate residents and visitors about Mobile’s natural heritage and urban biodiversity, including local folklore and ecological facts tied to specific trees (Ref 2, Ref 6)
-Protect the city’s tree canopy from threats like storms, development, and invasive species, through conservation, signage, and awareness campaigns (Ref 1, Ref 3, Ref 6)
-Highlight the environmental and cultural value of trees by creating a walking or riding tour that connects nature with the city’s history and identity (Ref 2, Ref 3, Ref 6)
- Reinforce Mobile’s identity as a Tree City USA and model for integrating nature-based solutions in urban planning (Ref 3)

Key Priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity conservation

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development

Cultural heritage and cultural diversity

Preservation of natural heritage

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Environmental education

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Species-focused

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Protect species

Undertake specific measures to protect species

Undertake specific measures to protect native species

Control and clean invasive alien species

Means for conservation governance

Raise public awareness

Public engagement

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

-Reviewed original trail listings to assess which trees remain and which have been lost or removed. [Ref 3]
-Opened public nominations to identify new trees for inclusion based on historical, cultural, or ecological significance. [Ref 4]
-Conducted field verification of nominated trees to assess suitability for inclusion in the updated trail. [ Ref 4]
-Developed a revitalized walking and riding trail featuring selected heritage trees across Midtown and Downtown Mobile. [Ref 3]
-Installed signage and plaques (some of which are being restored) to mark significant trees and share historical context. [Ref 4]
-Created a new website and interactive map to guide users and promote the trail. [Ref 4]
-Recruited volunteers to support activities such as research, tree care, and community outreach. [Ref 4]
-Maintained and preserved existing heritage trees, including trimming, clearing invasive plants, and protecting roots. [Ref 6]
-Collaborated with local organisations, such as The Nature Conservancy and the Mobile Tree Commission, to lead the project. [ Ref 6]

Type of NBS project

Maintenance and management of urban nature

Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks)

Urban reforestation, restoration of street trees

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Grey infrastructure featuring greens

Alley or street trees and other street vegetation

Parks and urban forests

Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces

Amenities offered by the NBS

Educational or biodiversity trails

Design elements for well-being

None of the above

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Tourism

Aesthetic appreciation

Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

Unknown

Socio-economic profile of the area

Unknown

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Unknown

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Citizens or community groups

Primary Beneficiaries

Local government/Municipality

Non-government organisation/Civil Society

Citizens or community groups

Young people and children

Specify primary beneficiaries

Local government/Municipality – The Mobile Tree Commission, a local municipal body, is actively involved in leading and supporting the project.
Non-government organisation/Civil Society – The Nature Conservancy and dedicated volunteers are central actors in the project.
Citizens or community groups – The general public is encouraged to participate through tree nominations, volunteer work, and using the trail.
Young people and children – Indirectly referenced through the Junior Miss Maples initiative, indicating past engagement with youth-led contributions.

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Native plant vegetation

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The Mobile Tree Commission, a local government body, is a central leader and coordinator of the project ([Ref 3], [Ref 4], [Ref 6]).
The Nature Conservancy and individual volunteers (non-government actors) are actively involved in implementation, research, and outreach ([Ref 4], [Ref 6]).
Project decisions, such as tree nominations and trail revival efforts, involve public participation and volunteer input, reflecting a shared governance approach.

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

Public sector institution

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Decision-making among different alternative plans

On-the-ground implementation

Level of citizen and community engagement

High

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)

Dissemination of information and education

Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Voluntary (spontaneous)

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation

Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching)

Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

- NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation- The Nature Conservancy and community volunteers are key actors in implementing and reviving the project. [Ref 4], [Ref 6]
- Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching) - Individuals like Andrew Blejwas played a significant role in uncovering, researching, and reviving the trail.[Ref 4], [Ref 6]
- Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) - The original Junior Miss Maples were planted through community fundraising, and municipal support is implied through the Mobile Tree Commission’s role.[Ref 2], [Ref 6]

Governace and decison-making instruments

Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies)

Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts)

Information-sharing platforms or networks (e.g. websites for sharing best practices, data or resources pertinent to the project)

Barriers

Loss of original trail infrastructure and visibility; Tree loss due to development and storms; Threats to surviving trees from urban pressures

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Please specify total cost (EUR)

Unknown

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)

Private funding by citizens

Other funding sources are unclear

Type of fund(s) used

Donations

Other funding types are unknown

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of labour

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Unknown

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Green densification model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)

Citizens / local communities

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Expected increased green space area

Increased protection of threatened species

Expected increased protection of threatened species

Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species

Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species

Description of environmental benefits

-Expected increased green space area – By identifying, protecting, and promoting significant trees, the project aims to help preserve Mobile’s urban forest, which supports local biodiversity and offers shade and habitat. [Ref 3], [Ref 6]
-Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species: – Replacing invasive species and highlighting native or culturally significant trees helps maintain ecological balance. [Ref 1]
-Expected increased protection of threatened species – Examples include efforts to maintain the Duffie Oak by trimming damaged branches and managing invasive species nearby.[Ref 6]

Economic impacts

More sustainable tourism

Expected more sustainable tourism

Increased property prices

Expected increased property prices

Description of economic benefits

-Expected more sustainable tourism- The trail is described as a walking and riding tour through the city’s scenic and historic areas, potentially encouraging visits and spending at nearby local businesses. [Ref 2], [Ref 3
-Expected increased property prices - By beautifying neighborhoods and protecting heritage trees, the project may help maintain or improve the attractiveness and value of residential areas. [Ref 3]