There, she found a city in love with its bridges and bike lanes, yet still wrestling with how to “green” its concrete arteries. The local planning commission was drafting a master plan for the downtown core, and a call for “innovative green solutions” floated through the municipal newsletters. Dana saw an opportunity.

The pilot was a success. Within two years, the pocket forests boasted a 40 % increase in native bee activity, reduced storm‑water runoff by 15 %, and became informal gathering spots for neighborhood children, artists, and joggers. The city council, impressed by the data and the public enthusiasm, allocated funding for a citywide rollout.