The Urban and Community Forestry Program helps communities develop and sustain healthy urban forests.

We do this through a variety of services:

• Technical assistance for development of local community forestry programs, tree care, training for professionals, planning and outreach efforts, and support of community events;
• Grant funding for tree planting and support of local urban forestry programs;
• Coordinating volunteer events and K-12 education opportunities; and
• Building partnerships and identifying unique funding opportunities that help meet individual community goals.

For more information contact Alyssa O’Brien at alyssa.o’brien@emnrd.nm.gov.

What is a Community Forest?

Community forests include all trees, vegetation, and associated natural resources within and around an inhabited area. Community trees include park trees, trees along streets and neighborhoods, and any trees within the wildland-urban interface between communities and adjacent forestlands. Urban forests deliver tremendous value to communities and the people that live there.

Benefits from the Community Forest

Trees are vital to communities, and human and environmental health. They contribute to:

• Reduced storm water runoff;
• Improved air and water quality;
• Increased property values;
• Improved quality of life for citizens;
• Increased economic development opportunities; and
• Reduced energy use at homes and businesses.

Climate Ready Trees

The Climate Ready Trees Program is designed to identify climate adaptable tree species that can survive current conditions and climatic changes over the next century and introduce these species into our urban landscape. Using climate modeling, The Nature Conservancy determined future climate zones for New Mexico, then a rigorous review protocol evaluated potential trees species’ adaptability and tolerances to urban and climate conditions. Now demonstration sites are needed to introduce these new species into the urban landscape and to inform both nursery growers and the public about these new species.

Municipalities or public schools may apply to have public spaces that they own and are open to the public within New Mexico become Climate Ready Demonstration Sites (Demonstration Sites). These sites will provide educational opportunities for the public and allow for observations on how Climate Ready Trees perform under local and regional conditions.

Read more about Goals & Requirements for Climate Ready Trees.

Demonstration Site Application. 

Monitoring Form.

Fact Sheets: Easy-to-use resource information for increasing community awareness.

Project Desert Canopy – Growing a Healthier Community

The Project Desert Canopy produced community forest assessments in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, El Paso, and Phoenix, AZ that quantified current ecosystem services being provided, including improved air quality, energy conserved, carbon sequestered, and much more.

These assessments helped demonstrate just some of the economic and health benefits realized from our desert southwest urban forests. The data can be used to help develop and implement municipal goals and community forest strategies for New Mexico communities.

Announcements

Programs Offered Here!

Resources Available

Resources

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Funding for this program is provided by the USDA Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.