Start or Improve Your Urban Forest

Vibrant communities are marked by an abundance of healthy and attractive trees. A leafy, green canopy reduces storm water runoff and erosion, lowers energy use, moderates temperature, cleans air and water, increases property values and improves health. Communities of all sizes can leave a legacy of pride and well-being by investing in a program of ongoing tree planting and care.

Improve your urban forest

• The Forest Where We Live: Growing a Legacy [PDF]
• Tree boards and program advocacy [exit DNR]
• Professional assistance

Ordinances

• Creating effective tree ordinances
• Urban Forestry BMPs for Public Works Managers: Ordinances, Regulations and Public Policy

Inventories and management plans

• How to conduct a tree inventory
• iTree tools for assessing and managing community forests [exit DNR]
• Urban Forestry BMPs for Public Works Managers – Urban Forest Management Plan
• Urban forestry Management Plan Toolkit [exit DNR]
• A Technical Guide to Developing: Urban Forestry Strategic Plans & Urban Forest Management Plans [PDF]

Staffing and staff training

• DNR urban forestry training and events calendar
• Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI)
• Urban Forestry BMPs for Public Works Managers: Staffing

Budget and funding

• Urban Forestry BMPs for Public Works Managers: Budgeting and Funding
• DNR urban forestry grants

*Note that we do not endorse any of these individual products, but are offering suggestions based on others' usage.