Urban and Community Forestry

Did you know that tree cover in U.S. urban areas is declining at a rate of about 4 million trees a year? The Vibrant Cities Lab Toolkit, from the USDA Forest Service and Davey Institute, lays out the steps to improving your community's tree cover. Learn more.

Arbor Day is just around the corner! One great way to celebrate is to hold a poster contest for kids in your community. Check out other ideas and resources here.

National Arbor Day is April 26, 2019! This day, founded by Julius Sterling Morton, was almost called Sylvan Day. Sylvan translates to "woody" or "of the forest." Morton preferred arbor because it included all trees, not just the ones in forests. Go out and plant a tree today to celebrate. The Tree Owner’s Manual can show you how.

What's happening in your state? From Connecticut to Wisconsin, the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters website highlights successful urban and community forestry projects. Read more

Healthy trees and forests in urban areas contribute to improved air and water quality, watershed function, energy conservation, and social well-being. The Urban and Community Forestry Program provides support to States, cities, and nonprofit groups, so they can plant, protect, maintain, and utilize wood from community trees.

View our featured resources and publications in the Greening your Community and Trees topic pages, or search our full Publications & Resources Library.
Learn more about the national Urban and Community Forestry Program
Find your state's Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator

Forest Service Grants Impact Viewer

This interactive map of the Northeast and Midwest United States documents the distribution of U.S. Forest Service urban forestry grants over time. Zoom in to see more detailed grant data, including each grant's recipients, purpose, amount, and contact person. This map illustrates both the impacts of small State grants stemming from Federal investment and grant impacts at the landscape level. Communities in "Developing Status" (orange) have at least one component of professional staff, ordinances/policies, advocacy groups, or management plans that resulted from State technical assistance. Communities in "Managing Status" (green) have all four components and are considered to be sustaining their urban natural resources.

State Urban and Community Forestry Programs

Learn more about your State's Urban and Community Forestry program and its recent accomplishments using the links below. The partnerships created through State and local projects are contributing to an engaged public committed to building healthy and vibrant communities for themselves and future generations.

Northeastern Area Program Manager: Phillip Rodbell