The collaborative efforts of the groundbreaking partnership between tree advocates California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC), West Coast Arborists (WCA), Taylor Guitars, Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA) and The Britton Fund sees the development of the one-of-a-kind event, AMPlifying the Urban Forests, ready for action in 2022. On March 12th, 2022, trees will be planted across California in 30 participating cities. This incredible feat, facilitated by California Urban Forest Council and executed by West Coast Arborists, promises to be influential for all communities involved. 

The 30 participating cities can expect several benefits following the execution of this massive tree planting event. These newly planted trees will benefit local residents by:

• Increasing neighborhood canopy coverage
• Enhancing air quality
• Abating pollution and offsetting carbon emissions
• Mitigating heat and lessening the effects of severe weather

Featured trees will consist of tree species whose water needs, greenhouse gas mitigation potential, and end-of-life re-use opportunities will ensure communities garner full benefits from their newly planted trees as well as ensure newly planted trees will withstand our warming climate.

“An event of this size and magnitude could not be possible without the leadership and tree expertise of California Urban Forest Council,” said Mike Palat with West Coast Arborists. “We are so thankful to CaUFC and Taylor Guitars for collaborating with us on a project that is guaranteed to be a success within these communities and influential for years to come.” 

As part of a larger, collaborative urban forestry movement, AMPlifying the Urban Forests promises to provide California communities with volunteer opportunities and educational resources supported by urban forest advocates, environmental experts and certified arborists. These efforts will empower California communities with knowledge and resources on the many benefits provided by trees. A successful project of this magnitude requires community awareness and involvement.

“Focusing on community engagement and supporting our community partners will be one of our biggest priorities,” said Nancy Hughes with CaUFC. “Developing close relationships with local groups is pivotal to the event's success as well as our success moving forward with future projects and events of this size.”  

Truly unique to the AMPLifying the Urban Forest project are the efforts being made to increase community engagement and involvement. Public education workshops on urban forestry awareness are being hosted by local groups in collaboration with each city partner.  To help target youth from local communities, students from Harvey Mudd College are currently developing an app designed to educate children on arboriculture, exposing them to urban forestry and connecting them to their natural surroundings.

At the event, Taylor Guitars will drum up engagement through their entertainment support and supply a musical component at each of the 30 events while showcasing their repurposed musical instruments. They will also be raffling off a GT Urban Ash guitar to one lucky volunteer from the event.

With these measures in place, the March 12th tree planting event is sure to be memorable by beautifying California communities, educating residents on the importance of maintaining and protecting their local urban forests and improving air quality. 

More information can be found here: California Urban Forests Council

 Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.