Boise, Idaho is living up to its nickname—the City of Trees—and Mayor Lauren McLean is leading the charge. With an ambitious pledge to plant one seedling for every Boise resident—over 140,000 trees—and a plan to double the city’s canopy, she’s turning climate resiliency into a community effort. But her leadership goes far beyond shade and seedlings.
In a recent interview with The Good Government Show, Mayor McLean explained how trees are part of a bigger plan to cool neighborhoods, lower energy bills, improve public health, and strengthen community bonds. “It’s all connected,” she says. “Parks, open space, tree cover, clean water, public safety—it’s an investment cities need to make.” That philosophy is rooted in equity, with the city prioritizing tree planting in the neighborhoods most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Boise’s green momentum doesn’t stop with trees. McLean’s administration just opened the city’s 101st park and is steadily working toward a bold goal: every Boise resident living within a ten-minute walk of a park. And she’s reimagining what a park can be—celebrating small, community-driven “linear parks” and even green rooftops atop affordable housing projects. These aren’t vanity projects; they’re strategic, people-first planning initiatives that make the city more livable and inclusive.
Mayor McLean is also leading on clean energy. Thanks to creative partnerships with Idaho Power and the Public Utilities Commission, Boise’s airport and water renewal facilities now run on 100% solar energy. She’s doubling down on Boise’s long-standing geothermal energy system too—one of the largest in the world—heating downtown buildings with clean, underground hot water. That’s serious innovation from a midsize city often overlooked on the national stage.
What’s the secret to Boise’s success? McLean says it’s the residents. “Local government is your neighbor, your family member, your friend,” she told us. “It’s made possible by volunteers, city council members, and a mayor who loves the place they call home.” And when the mayor’s favorite local delicacy is a tater tot—make that a “Boise Gem”—you know you’re dealing with someone who knows her city inside and out.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Good Government Show to hear more about Boise’s bold climate goals, affordable housing wins, and what other cities can learn from Idaho’s capital. And yes, you’ll hear all about those famous fries.