More Trees Please
There are many ways that you can get involved with the health and success of our shared urban forest. The City of Tacoma partners with a number of other agencies and nonprofits to offer Community Greening Programs to help you and your neighbors throughout Tacoma and Pierce County bring the green to your neighborhood. To find out more, review the Community Greening Programs handout, or take a look at the following information below.
Plant Trees
Sign up to receive a tree coupon to use towards the purchase of up to three trees at participating local nurseries.
Plant free trees in your right-of-way by participating in the Grit City Trees Program. Work with your neighbors to submit a Group Application, and the City will deliver the free trees to a designated nearby spot in your neighborhood.
Volunteer
Volunteer through the Green Tacoma Partnership or with organizations such as the Tacoma Tree Foundation. Volunteers are needed not only to get their hands dirty while removing invasive species and planting trees, but also for educational and outreach opportunities as well.
Apply for Funding for Tree Planting and Care
Strengthen our Tree City USA designation and help us celebrate Tacoma's recognition, or get some ideas for new projects in your neighborhood.
Organize and assist your neighbors with a tree-themed improvement project. There are several sources of funding available through the City and local organizations that may fund your project. Apply for a Make A Splash Grant, Neighborhood Innovative Grants, Spark Grant, Grants from Alliance for Community Trees or the Sustainability Small Grant program. Project ideas include:
- New street tree plantings
- Pruning existing street trees for crown cleaning and crown raising
- Removal of stumps or hazardous/dying trees (especially with replanting)
- Reclaiming your planting strip
- Starting a community orchard
Learn More
Get to know the trees of your community. Take notes on what you see and learn about different species and which trees are best for our area. You can learn about many trees by reviewing our Recommended Street Tree Lists or viewing pages on how to properly select, plant and maintain, and prune your trees to enjoy them for a lifetime (or more).
Learn about the countless benefits our communities receive from trees and green spaces in the Outside Our Doors Report from the Washington Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
Interested in natural yard care, pruning, rain gardens, tree planting, tree basics and more? Sign up to learn more with EnviroHouse.
Take a Self-Guided Tree Tour in Your Neighborhood
Monitor and Report Diseased or Damaged Trees
Call 3-1-1 for immediate concerns about the health of trees in the rights-of-way. You can also become a citizen scientist and help identify invasive insects that could damage our trees. The Washington Invasive Species Council provides invasive species training and educational materials. iMapInvasives is another option for getting involved.
Consider a Career in Urban Forestry or Arboriculture
Perhaps you're considering changing careers or just starting your education. Arboriculture and related fields present lots of opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Arboriculture, Forestry, Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Community Forestry, and the Planning fields (to name a few), all have impacts on the health and beauty of our communities. Arboriculture alone includes several types of arborist specialties from utility to municipal and consulting.
Here are a few resources for exploring tree-related career fields: