Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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Non-Profit Urban Forestry Organizations

Members from Knox and from the US Forest Service pose with a Hartford resident. Through a grant, Knox had led an effort to promote tree planting and maintenance on private properties, including back yards.
The participants gather after a successful project
involving the planting of trees on private properties,
including in back yards. The project was led by Knox
and included DEEP Forestry and the US Forest Service,
along with Hartford residents.

Non-profit agencies in Connecticut are involved with the care, preservation, and improvement of the urban forest. Their dedication helps ensure that there will be a healthy and well-maintained urban forest in the future. They are a vital part of urban forestry in the state.

The following list does not include many non-profits that have a core mission apart from urban forestry but that include urban forestry in what they do.

Western Connecticut Organizations:

  • Groundwork Bridgeport: Works to build a stronger community by helping the community connect with its natural environment, especially the younger people in the community. Tree stewardship and civic engagement are major tools used in this effort (Groundwork Bridgeport video).

  • Norwalk Tree Alliance: A volunteer-based, community-oriented organization active in tree planting programs and other activities that promote a healthy urban forest.

  • Milford Trees, Inc.: A volunteer-based, community oriented organization that maintains, plants and promotes trees throughout the City of Milford.

  • The Garden Club of New Haven: The Garden Club website is full of information regarding the trees in New Haven, including an authoritative page on utilities and trees that is of value for all communities throughout the state.  

  • Urban Resources Initiative: The organization has a wide-ranging focus touching on the many aspects of urban forestry in New Haven, from tree health and green jobs to tree inventory, maintenance and tree planting. Their goal is to foster community-based stewardship of local trees.

Central and Eastern Connecticut Organizations:

  • Knox: Located in Hartford, Knox is active in a broad range of initiatives focused on the health and maintenance of the urban forest. Among their activities are green jobs, urban orchards and community gardening, along with tree planting and extensive community outreach.

State Wide Organizations:

  • The Connecticut Urban Forest Council: Provides advice, assistance, education, information, and support to urban and community forestry professionals, municipal, state and corporate leaders, and volunteers; as well as to those simply interested in urban forestry happenings.

  • The Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut: This organization is dedicated to educating Connecticut's tree wardens about the duties and responsibilities associated with care and control of the public's trees.  

  • Connecticut Forest and Park Association: A state-wide organization dedicated to environmental education and conservation.

  • Connecticut Tree Protective Association: An educational association for those in the tree care industry. Their goal is to advance the quality of the tree care in Connecticut.

  • The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group: CIPWG's mission centers on ways to contain or eliminate existing invasive plants in the state, prevent the introduction of new invasive plants, and educate the public regarding the importance of care and vigilance regarding these plants.

  • Audubon Connecticut: Through the urban oases initiative, Audubon Connecticut has become an active participant in urban forestry efforts, including several demonstration projects in New Haven. 

Other Organizations:

  • The Arbor Day Foundation: This international organization is well-known for its promotion of Arbor Day as a day to celebrate trees. It also manages the Tree City USA and the GreenStreets Programs.

  • American Forests: Through their Community ReLeaf program, American Forests has taken a strong interest in the nation's urban forests, including an assessment of Hartford's urban forest.

  • The Nature Conservancy: TNC, through its Resilient Cities program, has become active in urban forestry efforts, especially in Bridgeport.

  • The Trust for Public Land: This organization has been involved in several projects in Connecticut, including those relating to park lands in the state's largest cities.

For additional information, please contact:

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection:

Forestry Division

860-424-3630 or deep.forestry@ct.gov

Trees and Urban Forests: Learn More  | Forestry Main Page

Content last updated October 2019