A federal council today released a plan that identifies specific goals, actions, and recommendations for improving the status of urban and community forestry for the U.S. and its territories. The plan serves as a framework for awarding nearly $1 million in U.S. Forest Service grants to organizations, including grassroots nonprofits, academic researchers, private practitioners and local and state governments.

“We appreciate the time, effort, and hard work by the council to develop this new plan,” said James Hubbard, deputy chief for the Forest Service State and Private Forestry. “This plan supports the agency’s strategic plan. Urban forests provide critical social and environmental benefits for 83 percent of the US population living among 136 million acres of urban forest land.”
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The Federal Advisory Council for the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program developed the plan, which was released during the Arbor Day Foundation’s Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Denver, Colorado. The Council is charged with developing an action plan every 10 years to help guide stakeholders in the management of the nation’s urban forests.

The action plan was developed in conjunction with community members who have interests in the forests where they live, work, and play. Through this guiding document, the Council’s mission is to help all communities create urban and community forests that are diverse, healthy and resilient, and accessible for all citizens. The Council’s future competitive grant categories will reflect the goals identified in the Action Plan.

For more information about the National Ten Year Urban Forestry Action Plan, please visit www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac.html.

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