Urban forests are trees for people! They are dynamic ecosystems that provide environmental services such as clean air and water. Trees cool cities and save energy; improve air quality; strengthen quality of place and local economies; reduce storm water runoff; improve social connections; complement smart growth; and create walkable communities. Learn more about this critical resource and what the Forest Service is doing to protect it.

National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

Grants for 2009 are now being solicited in two categories: Innovation Grants (up to $500,000) and Best Practices Grants (up to $50,000).

Replacing Felled Trees

A homegrown initiative is being organized by community groups to help replace the many thousands of trees coming down to eradicate the Asian longhorned beetle in Worcester, MA.

Super Bowl XLIII Urban and Community Forestry Initiative

Local tree planting projects in Tampa Bay are being used to offset to the greenhouses gas created by Super Bowl-related activities.

Thousands of trees help make Tampa Superbowl a 'green' event

Dozens of volunteers and area youngsters will join staff from the NFL Environmental Program to plant trees at two different sites in the Bay area for Super Bowl XLIII.

8th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference: January 22-24, 2009!

Core to the Urban and Community Forestry mission, smart growth has a role to play in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Economic stimulus doesn't have to mean ecological disaster

Jump-starting old construction projects to create jobs would harm more than help us. We need to focus on 'smart green' infrastructure.

Green infrastructure: Conservation planning using a green infrastructure approach helps communities balance environmental and economic goals to achieve smarter, more sustainable land use patterns.

Planning the Urban Forest: [NEW!!] This report addresses the need for planners to adopt a green infrastructure approach and presents the technical means to incorporate trees into planning. Find out how communities can develop urban forestry programs to capture the social and environmental benefits of trees.

Protecting and Developing the Urban Tree Canopy: The 135-city survey by the US Conference of Mayors found 84% of cities view their tree activities as part of their overall sustainability and/or climate protection efforts.

Urban Tree Utilization and Why it Matters: Utilization of urban trees for wood and paper products is a new idea but one that is drawing more attention from many fields. This report by Dovetail Partners, Inc. addresses big questions related to the amount of wood in urban areas, viable examples of urban tree utilization industries, and others.