Reforest Our City: Trees for Cleveland

Trees save energy, reduce stormwater runoff, enhance property values, improve water quality and make our neighborhoods more attractive.

But in many urban and suburban communities, tree canopies  are dwindling. Some trees are lost to development. Others are never planted or replaced due to municipal budget constraints.

Western Reserve Land Conservancy launched Reforest Our City to reverse the trend.  Starting in the city of Cleveland, we are working with our partners — including residents — to plant and maintain thousands of trees along streets, in parks and in other public spaces. The program is headed by Sarah Ryzner, director of projects for the Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities Institute.

The time to reforest our cities is now.  The need has never been greater.

Our work

Expertise: The Land Conservancy staff includes an urban forester based at our Thriving Communities Institute office in Cleveland. Colby Sattler, a certified arborist, offers expert assistance to cities, community organizations and neighborhood groups

Tree inventories

We strategically plant trees based on existing knowledge and tree inventories, which we conduct using our Geographic Information Systems and planning expertise.

Partnerships

We manage and support all work but partner with numerous organizations.  We have launched a grant program (see below) that will fund local partners such as Community Development Corporations and block clubs.

Citizen training

We provide Tree Steward training, where citizens learn how to aid city foresters in tree care and maintenance. The program aims to complete major deferred  street and public tree maintenance. Training residents to maintain existing and newly planted trees is critical to the success of our program.

Equipment

We plan to purchase a trailer that will include all necessary tools for proper tree care and tree-planting events, including a water source.