Urban and Community Forestry
The Urban and Community Forestry Program
Helping communities develop and sustain healthy community forests
We do this through a variety of services:
- Technical assistance for the 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.obrien@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.
- Community forests deliver tremendous value to communities and the people that live there.
Benefits of the Community Forest:
Trees are vital to communities. They contribute to:
- Reduced stormwater runoff
- Improved air and water quality
- Increased property values
- Improved mental and physical health for citizens
- Increased economic development
- Reduced energy use
Current Program Offerings
Community Forestry Assistance Grants
There are two exciting grant applications available to assist communities in creating sustainable urban and community forests throughout New Mexico!
Urban Forest Council
Group that advises and assistes NM State Forestry in the development of the Urban Forestry Program ‘s emphasis and priorities.
Group is open for anyone to join and meets quarterly to discuss the state of the Urban Forestry Program.
Meeting Dates: 1/25/24, 4/25/24, 7/25/24, 1024/24
Remote Meeting Info:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 291 883 154 538
Passcode: bQcG9U
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 505-312-4308,,552203093# United States, Albuquerque
Phone Conference ID: 552 203 093#
Climate Ready Demonstration Sites
Apply to be a Climate Ready Demonstration Site and receive free trees!
Governmental entities such as cities, schools, counties, or non-profits that have public spaces that they own and are open to the public within New Mexico can apply. These sites will provide educational opportunities for the public and allow for observations on how Climate Ready Trees perform under local and regional conditions.
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 tree 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.
- Read more about Goals & Requirements for being a Climate Ready Demonstration Site.
- View the Monitoring Form.
- Tree Species available for Spring 2024: Chinese pistache, Lacebark elm, Ginkgo, Atlas cedar, Osage orange, and Texas red oak.
Tree Inventories
To manage public trees you need to know what you have, where it is, and what condition it is in. A tree inventory helps you do all that and more! It has information on individual tree’s age, condition, and work history which you can combine to analyze your community’s entire tree canopy. you can then identify areas that need trees, plot out planting sites, prioritize tree work, and know the species and age diversity of your community’s trees.
If you are interested in signing up for a FREE account to inventory your trees contact Alyssa O’Brien at alyssa.obrien@emnrd.nm.gov.
Continuing Community Tree Education Scholarships
We are offering scholarships to provide opportunities to participate in workforce development activities that will ultimately build local capacity to care for community and urban forests. This scholarship covers conference registration fees, training fees, educational materials such as study guides or supplies, and examination fees.
Applications will be accepted year-round and will be reviewed periodically. Awards will be based on the availability of funds and a scoring evaluation performed by a panel of urban forestry professionals.
Match is not required but appreciated.
Completed applications can be returned to Alyssa O’Brien at alyssa.obrien@emnrd.nm.gov.
Donate to New Mexico Re-Leaf!
New Mexico Re – Leaf is a voluntatry donation program that funds community tree plantings throughout New Mexico.
Arbor Day Celebration Trees
To celebrate and to encourage communities to become an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City or Campus the State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division will provide up to 10 free trees to cities or public education campuses including universities and colleges holding an Arbor Day Celebration.
- Eligible applicants must be a municipality or public education campus.
- The entity must document staff and volunteer time and labor spent planning for and during the event by returning the attached form after the event.
Arbor Day Programs
Use this resource to learn about the benefits that trees can bring to your community.
Urban Foresty Resources
Plan Smart, Rethinking Green
Use this resource to learn about the benefits that trees can bring to your community.
Use these fact sheets to learn how trees impact lives, planning, communiciation, and water use.
Project Desert Canopy
Use this resource to learn about the benefits that trees can bring to your community.
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.
Urban Forestry 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.