About Treescharlotte
TreesCharlotte: Growing and Diversifying Charlotte's Urban Forest
TreesCharlotte is a public/private nonprofit collaboration that aims to grow and diversify Charlotte's urban forest while promoting tree stewardship and education. The organization was founded in 2012 with the goal of planting 500,000 trees by 2050, which would increase the city's tree canopy from its current level of 47% to 50%. TreesCharlotte believes that a healthy urban forest is essential for creating a vibrant, livable city.
The organization works with volunteers, community groups, businesses, and government agencies to plant trees throughout Charlotte. TreesCharlotte provides free trees to residents who agree to plant them on their property and care for them. The organization also plants trees in public spaces such as parks, schools, and along streets.
TreesCharlotte's mission goes beyond simply planting trees. The organization also seeks to educate residents about the benefits of trees and how they can help maintain a healthy urban forest. Trees provide numerous benefits such as reducing air pollution, mitigating stormwater runoff, providing shade during hot summer months, increasing property values, and improving mental health.
One of TreesCharlotte's most significant initiatives is its NeighborWoods program. This program brings together neighbors who want to plant trees in their community but may not have the resources or knowledge necessary to do so on their own. Through this program, TreesCharlotte provides free trees along with educational resources on how best to care for them.
Another important initiative is TreeStore CLT which offers discounted native species saplings at various locations throughout Charlotte during specific times of year (usually spring). These saplings are sold at cost ($5 each) or given away for free depending on availability.
In addition to these programs aimed at increasing tree coverage in Charlotte neighborhoods,TreesCharlotee also has an active volunteer base that helps maintain existing green spaces around town through pruning events or other activities like invasive species removals or litter cleanups.
TreesCharlotte's efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2019, the organization was awarded the Arbor Day Foundation's "Tree City USA" designation for the fifth consecutive year. This recognition is given to cities that demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and expanding their urban forests.
In conclusion, TreesCharlotte is an essential organization in Charlotte that works tirelessly to grow and diversify the city's urban forest while promoting tree stewardship and education. The organization's initiatives are aimed at increasing tree coverage in neighborhoods throughout Charlotte while educating residents about the benefits of trees and how they can help maintain a healthy urban forest. With its dedicated volunteers, community partnerships, and innovative programs, TreesCharlotte is well on its way to achieving its goal of planting 500,000 trees by 2050.