Urban and Community Forestry Program

About the Urban and Community Forestry Program

The Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is the only Federal program dedicated to growing and maintaining urban trees, forests, and green spaces. Authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Urban Forestry assists States and partner organizations in applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Key program facts:

One of the first programs to serve under the White House Justice40 Initiative.
- Learn more about how the program supports communities (PDF, 544KB)
- Webinar: Justice40 and USDA/Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program - YouTube. This webinar features three successful long-term projects of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Dedicated to improving the conditions of forests in urban communities where 84 percent of Americans live, work, and play.
Works with partners to improve the health and vibrancy of communities through planting and maintaining trees, forests, and green spaces.
Traditionally funded at $36-40 million annually, including an approximate $1 million per year challenge cost share grant program delivered in collaboration with the National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council.

Equitable Access to Nature

In 2022, the Urban and Community Forestry Program received an historic $1.5 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding for tree planting and related activities in urban areas with a priority on disadvantaged and overburdened communities. Applicants submitted proposals that totaled more than $6.4 billion. This response indicates that urban and community forestry is more urgent than ever.

In September 2023, UCF awarded more than $1 billion to nearly 400 entities in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, three U.S. affiliated Pacific islands, and several Tribes. These projects will bring much-needed relief to Americans in urban areas, where more than 84% of Americans live, work, and play. As a Justice40 program, UCF prioritized disadvantaged communities by ensuring that 100 percent of the benefits flow to communities in need.

Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants

The Forest Service award selection for the 2023 Urban and Community Forestry grants:

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) is an appointed advisory council to the Secretary of Agriculture on urban forestry and related issues. NUCFAC was founded to synthesize the full spectrum of views into a consistent vision, as a foundation for practical policy on urban forestry.

Ten-Year Urban Community Action Plan

Priorities, tasks, resource allocation, partnerships, program direction, performance measures and accountability at all levels of the Program align with the seven goals outlined in the collaboratively developed Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026).

Five year benchmark report cover page showing a person reaching up to pick fruit from a tree.

A recently completed Five Year Benchmark Accomplishment Report 2016 -2021 assesses the work of the Action Plan that has occurred between 2016 -2021 and identifies key opportunities for the remaining years of the Action Plan. Read the Benchmark Accomplishment Report here (PDF, 1.33 MB).

Technology and Science Delivery

The Forest Service’s National Urban Forest Technology & Science Delivery Team delivers quality urban natural resources science, technology, and information to improve the long-term sustainability of urban ecosystems.

The team’s mission is to help inform environmental stewardship and sustainability with sound decisions about urban and community lands and the broader watershed, for wildlife and people.

Vibrant cities

Our Vibrant Cities Lab website provides tools, research syntheses, and case studies to help the public discover how a healthy tree canopy can enrich their own community.

Use our Step-by-Step Guide to implement urban forestry in your community.

National Webinar Series

Our National Webinar Series brings experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment.

Tune in every other month on second Wednesdays from 1:00pm - 2:15pm ET.

Want to stay up to date on our upcoming webinars? Sign up for our mailing list. If you have questions or comments about this webinar series, or wish to present your science and innovative practice or policy on our stage, please email us!