Urban Forest Project

The 2011 Green Grand Rapids amendment to the City’s master plan established a 40% tree canopy goal in Grand Rapids. Recognizing the need to involve residents in expanding the urban tree canopy, the City of Grand Rapids and the Friends of Grand Rapids Parkslaunched the Urban Forest Project with core funding from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

We seek to offer a diverse menu of opportunities for anyone to learn about and directly impact the City’s urban forest. From planting to pruning, we can each do our part to maximize the tree canopy in all parts of the city so that everyone in Grand Rapids can experience the cultural, social, economic, public health, and environmental benefits of trees.

urban forest project faq

what can you do?

There are lots of ways to start:

• PLANT A TREE in your yard.
• Learn about the benefits of trees to your community.
• BECOME A NEIGHBORHOOD FORESTER!
• VOLUNTEER to help the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.

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tree canopy

34.6%

current canopy cover for GR

7,032

acres possible planting area

40%

Canopy cover goal (adopted by city)

9,775

approximate acres of land covered by trees in 2015

$2.64 m

annual ecosystem service benefits from trees

1,640

acres of land covered by trees needed to reach 40% canopy cover goal

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Trees return $3.60 for every dollar the city spends by:

• Intercepting stormwater
• Conserving energy
• Removing air pollutants
• Reducing and storing CO2