Increasing the community canopy

Our CIRCLE3.0 program plants 4,000 residential trees!

Summary

In 2019 we hosted nine tree planting events as part of our California Initiative to Reduce Carbon and Limit Emissions (CIRCLE3.0) program. The program set out to plant 4,000 trees in disadvantaged communities. This included 2,000 trees planted on residential properties. The communities selected were along the proposed high-speed rail corridor.

Financial Summary: Income

This year, the majority of our income, 97.8% came from grants. We managed over $2.1 M to deliver essential programs across California, almost doubling the dollar amount of grants under management from last year.

Financial Summary: Expenses

Our expenses, like our income, are generated from our program work.

Tree Planting Programs

Our key tree planting program activity during 2019.

CIRCLE 3.0

We were busy planting trees on our third iteration of the California Initiative to Reduce Carbon and Limit Emissions (CIRCLE) program this year. The program planted 4,000 trees, with 2,000 trees being planted on private property. Residents were able to sign up and select up to three free trees through the community canopy portal. See the full report.

COOL PARKS

Work commenced on Cool Parks this year with workshops and tree planting events in eight communities across the state. The Cool Parks team worked alongside partner cities and nonprofits to plant 2500 trees in California’s disadvantaged and low-income communities. This program will continue with events in six more cities next year.

FOUNTAIN GROVE REPLANTING

In April, and again in October we partnered with the Fountain Grove II Open Space Management Association to trees in the area affected by the 2017 wildfires. The neighborhood is rebuilding and planning for the future, with these restoration plantings taking into account the risk of wildfire and the need for an urban forest canopy.

Education & Outreach

As part of our ongoing mission to bring the benefits of the urban forest to all communities across California, we produce a number of items focused on education and outreach. Trees are Essential campaign.

Tree Planting Guide & More…

To accompany our program workshops and tree planting events held this year, we produce a number of items to help the public plant and care for their trees. This year too, we also utilized a text messaging system to remind residents to water the community trees planted on their properties.

Conference & Awards

In 2019 the conference headed to San Luis Obispo with a two-day conference. Each day had its own focus; day one centered on the impacts of climate change on the urban forest. Day two, focussed on the growth of the urban wood industry and included a tour of a mill.

Haiku Promotion

Our annual haiku poetry promotion encourages our supporters and followers from across California to express their love of urban trees.

Regional Councils

Local updates from our Regional Councils

1. The Bay Area Urban Forests Ecosystem Council

In partnership with the Bay Area Landscape Supervisors’ Forum (BALSF), the Bay Area council hosted a half-day workshop/training on sudden oak death for arborists.

2. Sacramento Valley Regional Urban Forests Council

The well-attended, Learn-at-Lunch series of workshops occurred every second month and covered topics including soil, sidewalks, masterplans, and data.

3. San Joaquin Valley Urban Forest Council

In 2019 the leadership of the San Joaquin Valley regional council changed, with Mona Cummings, the CEO of Tree Fresno taking up the reins. The council is planning some events in collaboration with our programs next year.

4. Inland Urban Forest Council

Right tree, right place, is a common mantra in the urban forestry world. In February the IUFC hosted a workshop looking at basic tree care and the best tree for the planting position. The council also held a second workshop where participants could learn if and when an urban shade tree needs pruning.

5. San Diego Urban Forests Council

The San Diego regional council was very active in 2019; with regular meetings and events, including finishing the year with annual awards. The council also actively advocates for urban forestry with the city of San Diego, who in 2019 sought to decrease the tree trimming budget to zero.

6. LA/Orange County (Street Tree Seminar)

2019 was another busy year for the Street Tree Seminar with a full program of meetings, lectures, and two full-day symposiums. The winter symposium focused on building greener communities, while the summer program looked at having an urban forest survival plan. Street Tree Seminar also released the third edition of Street Trees Recommended for Southern California.

7. Central Coast Urban Forests Council

The Central Coast council with the city of San Luis Obispo co-hosted an urban forest awareness day in May that included a tree tour in Mission Plaza. In September, the regional council partnered with CaUFC to host the annual conference.