Coordinator’s Corner – May 2023

By DNR Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager Ben Thompson Hey folks, there is a bunch of super cool news to share this month, so buckle up and please read until the end! The USDA Forest Service awarded six million dollars to our program with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Eighty-percent of …

We’re Hiring! Join us in supporting Washington’s Urban Forests

Urban forestry is an increasingly important aspect of municipal planning and management. As urban populations in Washington continue to grow, it becomes more vital to maintain and enhance community trees and green spaces to ensure that our cities, towns and tribal lands remain livable. If you have a passion for urban and community forestry and …

Results are In: Tree City, Campus & Line USA Communities

After months of application reviews, the results are in! Thousands of communities, campuses, and utilities across the nation have received recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for urban forestry efforts taken in 2022. Please join us in celebrating all our Washington State participants. Congratulations to: Tree City USA – 95 Washington cities qualified   Tree Campus …

Urban Forestry Grants Selected for 2023 Funding Cycle

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the applicants who showed their interest in our 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grant. The response to this year's short grant cycle has been tremendous, and our DNR Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) team is thrilled to announce that 13 exceptional projects have been selected to receive …

DNR and American Forests Announce Statewide Partnership to Advance Tree Equity

This news release is republished as it originally appeared on April 13, 2023. American Forests and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative, a statewide partnership to achieve tree equity across the Evergreen State by expanding and fortifying neighborhood tree canopy cover. The Washington Tree Equity Collaborative will engage cities, …

Coordinator’s Corner – April 2023

By DNR Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager Ben Thompson Spring is always a busy season for urban forestry in Washington and this year is no different. Please check out the other articles in this edition for some updates on important items, most notably the new funding available from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. …

What the State Capitol Campus Arbor Day Plantings Show us about the Care of Trees in the Urban Landscape

By Em Roberts, Urban Forest Technician for WA Western Region Trees are an integral component to the health, functionality, success, and well-being of all communities.  Arbor Day provides us an excellent opportunity to celebrate trees and our urban forests. This year’s Washington Arbor Day Celebration will be held on April 12, 2023 at 10:00AM at …

Update on Historic IRA Funding Opportunity for Urban and Community Forestry

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed last year by the U.S. Congress includes a historic $1.5 billion, 10-year investment in urban forestry. The USDA Forest Service will administer those dollars, and will distribute them directly to states and territories, as well as to cities, tribes, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions across the country. During a …

During Planting Season, Consider Trees for Climate Resilience

The spring planting season is officially upon us, meaning that homeowners, tree advocates, urban foresters and other natural resource managers all have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their local community by planting new trees. When choosing which species to plant, the decision may be tougher than previously imagined. In a new study …

Coordinator’s Corner – March 2023

A towering Quercus garryana (Garry oak) tree against a brilliant sunset. Oak Harbor, WA. Photo by Laura Renninger – Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society. By DNR Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager Ben Thompson I am kicking off this article by announcing that we officially have a new round of Community Forestry Assistance grants available …

2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grants: Applications are Live!

We are thrilled to announce that the 2023 Community Forestry Assistance (CFA) Grant Program is now accepting applications. Grants are available to support the planning, growth, and maintenance of trees in Washington’s urban and tribal areas. The total funding amount available this year is $350,000. Review the complete Request for Applications (RFA) here. The DNR …