Urban Forestry Management Program

We are pleased to announce the completion of the 2025 Maintenance Action Plan, a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance community safety and environmental stewardship.

To lean more read the plan located in the DOCUMENTS SECTION!

Thank you to the USF Interns who collected data on street trees during the Limb Up for Safety Program. Your hard work and dedication to the urban forest is appreciated. Make sure to read their blog about working on this project. It can be found in the documents tab at the top of this page.

Funding for this project provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with Arbor Day Foundation. USDA and Arbor Day Foundation are equal opportunity providers and employers.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension is preparing to evaluate the impact of Hurricane Milton on the trees and landscapes of southwest Florida. If you choose to participate in this project please complete the survey. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2c173a6d262046beaec612447c302203

This survey is approved through IRB Exemption #ET00043738. Thank you for your time.

Ever wonder how tree inventories are created? Read the article written by the current Tree Inventory Interns located in the document section. Learn about protocol, see pictures from the streets and more.

The Limb Up for Safety Program and Phase II Street Tree Inventory Project are in full swing. During the past month, more than 2,300 street trees have been identified by the USF Intern Team. Keep up the great work!

The Urban Forestry Team had a great day participating in the 2024 Pinellas County Hurricane Preparedness Day at Tarpon Springs Safety Building. Information about how to manage trees before and after hurricane was handed out. For copies of the handouts and more information on appropriate pruning reducing wind damage https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml

University of South Florida (USF) interns are collecting data on street trees as part of the Limb Up for Safety Program and Phase II Street Tree Inventory. The interns are part of the College of Environmental Science. The mapping began at Dorsett Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Be on the lookout for the interns and their bright orange vests!

Monday, April 22 (Earth Day) through Saturday, April 27 a display and informational table was at Tarpon Springs Library. Resident giveaways included:

• Free "Grab & Grow" Kits sponsored by the Friends of the Library
• Free Seeds from our Seed Library
• Sustainability information and Resources
• Project Learning Tree environmental education take home activities for kids and families

Mayor Vatikiotis proclaimed April 26, 2024, the last Friday in April, as 152nd Anniversary of Nation Arbor Day during the April 16, 2024 Board of Commissioner meeting. He urges all citizens to plant trees for future generations.

History of Arbor Day: In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. The celebration date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories were celebrating Arbor Day. Today, communities around the globe gather every year to celebrate trees and plant for a greener tomorrow. More information can be found https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm

The event was a great day for trees! 250 trees were given to residents to plant in their yards. Planting instructions and maintenance plans were included with each tree. Family friendly take home packets included Project Learning Tree environmental education activities.