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Urban and community forestry

Three children sit on a park bench surrounded by urban trees, forest

Urban and community forestry

Trees help communities thrive

The Urban and Community Forestry Program brings the benefits of trees to Michigan communities through planning and partnership. We assist with forest management activities, community policy development and education. The program is funded through the USDA Forest Service and is advised by a volunteer council that promotes conservation and maintenance of urban forests.

Connect with the UCF Program staff:

Program Manager, Kevin Sayers
Program Urban Forester, Lawrence Law
Program Grant Specialist, Kerry Gray
Program Urban Forester, Daphna Gadoth

Learn about the Michigan Urban and Community Forestry Council

Urban forest facts

Learn why community trees are essential

USDA tree owner's manual

Tips on how to plant, grow and care for trees

Mi Trees: Plant it forward!

Find tree planting resources and learn about our tree planting pledge.

Annual UCF report

UCF program highlights and accomplishments

Grant opportunities

Get assistance for tree planting, urban forest inventories, management plans and more.

 

A group of volunteers plants a tree in a neighborhood

Community Forestry Grants

Competitive grant program for projects that address urban and community forestry needs throughout Michigan.

The next application opportunity will be summer 2025.
A blooming apple tree planted in an urban setting near the water

DTE Energy Foundation tree planting grants

The DTE Tree Planting awardees are selected and consist of 28 communities and organizations to receive a portion of $106,680 in grant funding to expand tree coverage.

2024-2025 DTE Tree Planting Awardees

 

Next application opportunity will be summer 2025.

Volunteers plant saplings in Rouge Park.

UCF IRA Grants

Competitive grant program for urban forestry projects that focus on tree planting, care and management in Michigan's underserved communities.

Applications are now being accepted for the final round of the Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant program.

Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 at 5pm ET.

Application: The grant application is now available in MiGrants. For information on accessing the application and applying, see "How to Apply" in the Grant Handbook.

Grant Webinar will be hosted on January 24, 2025 at 1 pm ET. Register here. The webinar will be recorded and posted on this webpage.

To determine eligibility please use the link below:

Tree City USA program

The Arbor Day Foundation's Tree USA family of programs has been greening cities and towns across America since 1976. It's a nationwide movement that provides a framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees. 

Every year, thousands of cities, campuses and utilities are recognized for their commitment to quality tree care and sustainable urban forest management.

Watch a short video on the Tree City USA program

Arbor Day: A celebration of trees!

Arbor Day 2025 will be Friday, April 25.

Arbor Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating all the good things trees provide. It's annually held on the last Friday in April. 

Plan an Arbor Day celebration or join in!

Expert tree care for municipalities

Find an ASCA consulting arborist

Work with a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists

Find an urban forestry consultant

Find an ISA-Michigan certified consulting arborist

Expert tree care for homeowners

Find a TCIA-accredited landscaping company

Work with a company accredited with the Tree Care Industry Association

Find an ISA -Michigan arborist

Use the find-an-arborist tool to find a member on the ISA-Michigan business directory

Homeowner Tree Removal Resources

Resources to assist with safely removing trees or who to contact to get the job done.

Email updates

Subscribe to Urban Forestry email updates to receive grant information, announcements, resources, webinars, events, jobs and related news. E-news shared weekly with other updates provided periodically.