| The best practices in urban greening often start with local governments conducting assessments of their urban tree canopy (UTC) using satellite imagery. Other on-the-ground practices involve conducting a tree survey to account for individual trees and a management and conservation plan to maintain and conserve existing as well as new trees.
Once a local government has determined the amount of canopy it has, it can then determine an appropriate percentage goal to increase that canopy. This goal should be adopted by the local government and dedicated funds and staff resources should be directed toward creating and implementing strategies that work to meet that goal. Trees (preferably natives) should be planted in locations selected to produce the biggest ecological benefit and if possible, connections should be made between existing green spaces. Trees and plants should also be incorporated into the local government's storm water management options through such techniques as environmentally sensitive development and low impact development.
Urban Greening Project Planning
- An assessment of current tree canopy is essential, in order to allow you to set a goal for a future increase and to determine the best locations for additional plantings.
- Local government should be on board and ready to adopt a goal when considering an increase in urban tree canopy.
- Get your elected officials on board through additional education on the importance of urban tree canopy, site visits and tours. Help them to envision what your community could look like with increased canopy.
- Partner with outside technical experts to enhance your project
- Local governments should consider partnering with non-profits, watershed organizations and others on an urban tree canopy project.
- Consider partnering with an institution of higher learning or other community partners, such as schools or churches.
- Examine your local codes and ordinances that relate to forestry and trees, especially for new development and redevelopment. Are there ways that the codes and ordinances can become more forest-friendly? (For examples, click here to see recommendations made to the City of Cumberland by the Center for Watershed Protection)
- Consider ways to incorporate trees into storm water projects.
- Watershed organizations can work with their local government to create a street tree program that includes outreach, planting and maintenance education and assistance to homeowners.
- Be realistic with your time frame and what you can accomplish.
- If conducting a satellite analysis of your local tree canopy, don’t underestimate the time needed for satellite image acquisition and assessment.
- Contact Miss Utility to avoid utilities when planting
- Consider projects in redeveloping areas and in the right of ways along streets. Consider the size of your potential tree pit.
- Consider any permits that may needed for planting (especially for street tree plantings). Factor this into your project schedule.
- Consider the involvement of volunteers, especially in a community kickoff event. Invite businesses to participate in a “Corporate Day of Service”.
- Consider incentive programs for private property owners, such as tree discounts and/or coupons for local nurseries. Involve local businesses in efforts to involve homeowners and their customers.
Click here for information about Tree Planting
Recently Funded
1) City of Annapolis: $25,000
Annapolis, MD
This grant is to fund the purchase and installation of 200 trees that would be planted along city and community property in the Heritage Community. Residents will water and monitor the growth of the trees planted adjacent to their properties. The city has set a goal to increase urban tree canopy to 50 percent by 2036 and this project will get trees into the ground to move the city toward the achievement of that goal.
2) City of Cumberland: $50,000
Cumberland, MD
The city of Cumberland's grant request of $50,000 was approved to fund the planting of more than 200 trees, and purchase important tree canopy satellite imagery and data. The acquisition of imagary and data will provide the city with the evaluation tools necessary for it to establish its own Urban Tree Canopy program, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Center for Watershed Protection will also provide technical assistance as part of the effort to implement the city's program to increase urban tree canopy.
3) Herring Run Watershed Association (HRWA): $47, 815
Baltimore, MD
The Herring Run grant seeks to increase tree canopy in targeted neighborhoods and schools throughout Baltimore city and county. The grant funds the planting of 250 trees, equipment, delivery, supplies, outreach materials, and an incentive program to engage homeowners in the initiative. In cases where planting a tree in the public right of way is not possible, HRWA will pilot a front yard shade tree planting incentive program. The pilot front yard shade tree program and other neighborhood efforts will complement Baltimore city's larger goal to increase tree canopy.
4) Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks: $50,000
Baltimore, MD
The city of Baltimore was the first community in Maryland to set a goal for increasing its urban tree canopy. By 2035, the city seeks to double its urban tree canopy from 19.8 percent to 39.6 percent. Grant funding will support a community coalition building coordinator to create and implement strategies for increasing tree canopy on private and public properties in the Jones Falls watershed and to assist in the planting of 2,000 trees.
5) City of Hyattsville: $8,000
Hyattsville, MD
This grant will support the acquisition of tree canopy satellite imagery and data. This information will help the city to assess the percentage of existing canopy and to set a goal to increase Hyattsville's overall urban tree canopy.
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