Grand Rapids is a city in West Michigan with a population of over 1.5 million people, making it the second most populous city in Michigan; as well as being a major cultural, economic, and educational hub of West Michigan. The city is built around the Grand River, which plays a central role in recreation, ecology, and current revitalization efforts (City of Grand Rapids, n.d.-a). Grand Rapids is recognized for its strong community engagement, neighborhood diversity, investment in public parks, and growing focus on climate resilience and sustainable development, making it an emerging leader in nature-based urban projects (City of Grand Rapids, n.d.-b). Sustainability is included as one of the six core values in the city's strategic plan, and a goal to be net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The City of Grand Rapids created the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to create short and long term goals to combat climate change. Nature-based solutions help restore ecosystems changed by humans, while benefiting both humans and biodiversity (United Nations, n.d.). The City of Grand Rapids has begun implementing some of these nature-based solutions into its infrastructure and surrounding neighborhoods. Curb extensions, green roofs, and rain gardens are all steps that have been taken towards creating nature-based solutions for the growing challenge of climate vulnerability. By focusing on the topics of green infrastructure, nature-based materials, tree canopy inequity, emissions and pollution, and rain gardens, these goals can be met throughout Grand Rapids.

Robert Cloy II works for the City of Grand Rapids, this project's community partner, as the Environmental & Climate Justice Specialist. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor's in natural resource management in 2018, and now works to connect communities with the environment. Currently, Cloy sits on many environmental committees and is a certified arborist (City of Grand Rapids, n.d.-b).  

The City of Grand Rapids established a framework titled the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which focuses on preparing for the long-term effects of climate change on people, the environment, and infrastructure (City of Grand Rapids, 2025a). Working with community partners to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and other notable issues involved with climate change, this plan has two overarching goals:

1. Reaching a 62.8% per capita greenhouse gas reduction community-wide by 2030 from 2019 baseline emissions.

2. Accomplishing 100% per capita greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 from 2019 baseline emissions (City of Grand Rapids, 2025a).

This plan developed by the City of Grand Rapids will ideally eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. The CAAP has six sectors of focus: energy systems, residential homes, buildings and industry, transportation, nature-based solutions, and food systems. Nature-based solutions are a large part of the CAAP, and there are two goals set for this sector to meet:

1. Achieving a 40% Tree Canopy Goal to increase carbon sequestration.

2. Ensuring that both people and the natural environment are healthy and resilient to the impacts of climate change (City of Grand Rapids, 2025b).

• Plant native, climate-resilient tree species in neighborhoods with low canopy coverage. 

• High-priority areas include schools, bus stops, and heat-vulnerable blocks.

• Create green corridors to connect parks, schools, and other green spaces with tree-lined streets or pathways to improve shade continuity and urban wildlife habitats. 

• Develop a long-term maintenance plan that involves community volunteers and city foresters.

• Reducing rainwater runoff by installing permeable pavement on sidewalks and parking lots. 

• Adding green roofs to commercial and residential buildings to improve insulation and reduce summer heat. 

• Replacing traditional concrete with sustainable alternatives that use nature-based materials where feasible.

• Use native plants of the Grand Rapids area that support pollinators, increase biodiversity, and require less maintenance. 

• Partner with local schools and community centers for stewardship and local involvement.

• Dedicate areas within parks for native-plant rain gardens. 

• Reducing stormwater runoff and improve water quality by filtering pollutants.