Posts Categorized: Blog

October — Urban Greenspace Maintenance

“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” — Vincent van Gogh 

Nothing illustrates this thought more than a stroll on the Virginia Capital Trail through the Low Line Gardens. Though we are well into fall, the garden continues to provide visual treats. The butter yellow of the Solidago blooms plays beautifully against the lavender of the asters.

September — The Fundamentals of Urban Greenspaces Cultivating Biodiversity and Building Resilience

Public greenspaces not only help improve human health and connection—they also restore environmental health and biodiversity.

Capital Trees began its work in 2010 with a focus on trees, the shortage of urban canopy, and the consequences of that shortage: more stormwater runoff, fewer habitat corridors, and increased heat stress. Our first project on 14th Street didn’t just replace vacant tree wells;

August — The Fundamentals of Urban Greenspaces We Need Public Greenspaces Now More Than Ever

Public greenspace access is essential to building strong communities and strong democracies. One of the most concerning public health crises we are facing is the epidemic of loneliness, with people feeling more disconnected, isolated, and unhappy.  The health risks are not only mental, but physical.  Loneliness can lead to “a 29% increased risk of heart disease; a 32% increased risk of stroke;

July — The Fundamentals of Urban Greenspaces

Guest post written by: Matthew Shapiro, Founder & CEO – 6 Wheels Consulting

Everyone should have the ability to enjoy outdoor greenspaces and landscapes. However, sometimes people with disabilities do not have access to accessible spaces to enjoy the outdoors. This blog will help provide some strategies to help change that dynamic.

My name is Matthew Shapiro. I’m the Founder and CEO of 6 Wheels Consulting LLC and a person with Cerebral Palsy (CP),

June — The Fundamentals of Urban Greenspaces

How do visitors (human or otherwise) engage with the garden? With their senses! Sight, smell, touch,  sound,  and taste. Depending on what type of animal is engaging, it may be only one of the senses or it may be all five. As humans, we are fortunate to have the ability to utilize all of our senses when enjoying the garden. 

Whether you garden in a pot on a balcony,

May — The Fundamentals of Urban Greenspaces Capital Trees in Context: Learning from Leading Park Conservancies

Capital Trees leads through forward-thinking partnerships and imaginative design, and brings the most innovative thinking from around the globe to Richmond. We stand proudly within a growing movement of successful urban park conservancies that are transforming public spaces into community assets. Like Park Pride in Atlanta, we prioritize community engagement in our planning and design processes, ensuring that greenspaces reflect local needs and voices.

April — The Fundamentals of Public Greenspaces Growing Green Together: How Capital Trees Cultivates Community and Thrives through Partnership

Capital Trees is committed to creating and stewarding public greenspaces that are inspiring, welcoming, and collaborative, and through the implementation of that mission our spaces provide abundant opportunities for connection. 

Public greenspaces are an essential reminder that we are not alone in this world. There is a hum and vitality in these spaces that enable us to forget the self and become part of the whole.

March — The Fundamentals of Public Greenspaces Cultivating Community: Prioritizing Engagement in Public Greenspace Design and Care

Did you know that people with greater access to greenspaces are 44% less likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder? Reports from the National Recreation and Park Association also suggest that physical activity in greenspaces has stronger mental health benefits than physical activity in non-greenspaces (1). These statistics highlight how essential greenspaces are for both physical and mental well-being.

February — The Fundamentals of Public Greenspaces 15 Years of Growth: Capital Trees and the Building Blocks of Great Greenspaces

Creating truly exceptional public greenspaces requires more than just planting a few trees. It demands careful consideration of every element that makes these places accessible, comfortable, and engaging for everyone. At Capital Trees, we’ve spent the last 15 years learning and growing, refining our approach to urban greening, and focusing on the fundamental components that transform ordinary spaces into vibrant community hubs.

January — The Fundamentals of Public Greenspaces

Welcome to our 2025 focus: The Fundamentals of Public Greenspaces

Founded in 2010, Capital Trees was built on the values of collaboration, conservation, and community. A dedicated group of women launched Capital Trees after being inspired by a statewide conservation conference and a presentation on integrating tree canopy and greenspaces into urban planning by Rachel Flynn, who was serving as the City of Richmond’s Planner at the time.