In September 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $6 million grant award to Spokane Urban Forestry. These funds will be used to plant and care for trees in areas of Spokane that have the most need, to replace dead trees that have been removed, to create more equitable canopy coverage, and provide community forestry education. The Spokane Conservation District also received funding through the same USDA grant program and has generously agreed to commit a portion of those funds to purchase all trees to be planted as part of the Tree Equity Spokane project.
Grant funding of $6M over 5 years, with no match required, was provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Additional funding was provided by the Justice40 Initiative and Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund.
*Note: In some cases, only part a neighborhood is in the work area.
Order of work was determined using census data and tree canopy coverage software to determine the areas that are in most need of tree plantings to increase canopy and locations most urgently in need of tree maintenance.
All grant-funded Tree Equity Spokane work will be performed within City of Spokane public rights-of-way and on City properties. All tree planting and maintenance work must be performed in disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment, as identified on the Federal Map.
View the work area map or type your address in this interactive map to see if you are within the work area.
Targeted are:
Regular funding and/or additional grants may assist with street tree plantings outside targeted areas.
Planting new street trees, park trees, and adding trees on school properties will contribute to the City’s tree canopy cover goal of 30% canopy coverage by 2030.
Trees will be provided to replace dead tree removals and when residents agree to provide care, and utilities and site features do not restrict the planting. This empowers the community to take an active role in the care and maintenance of their local environment.
Street tree plantings:
Seedling programs will also be coordinated for private property plantings.
Request a tree for your right-of-way, or get help determining where your right-of-way is located.
Care of existing street trees within public right-of-way areas, park trees, and school property trees with the most urgent needs, including:
Qualified arborists will determine maintenance work and priority as they make their way through each neighborhood in the work area. Dead tree removal will take priority before maintenance and planting. Please know it may take several years before maintenance work comes to your location.
The City of Spokane is partnering with the Lands Council to provide education and outreach regarding proper tree care, including watering that is crucial to the survival of newly planted trees. The Lands Council will be collecting free tree requests from qualified residents of properties within the work area.
Information about watering and care for newly planted trees will be shared with those who are interested in a free tree. Locations will be visited to check if there is room in the right-of-way and ensure that there is a suitable location for a new tree. Next, a commitment to care for newly planted trees will be required to ensure that the grant funds are able to make the biggest impact possible.
Grant-funded work will be facilitated through partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and City-licensed and contracted tree services. These services, which have been vetted and approved by the City, will ensure that all work is carried out to the highest standards. Contracts with City-licensed tree services have been solicited through competitive bid processes, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process and several contractors have been selected to carry out each work category.
Request a free street tree through the SpoCanopy program.
Public rights-of-way vary street by street, block by block, and parcel to parcel. While many public rights-of-way are located in the planting strip between the street and the sidewalk in front of your home, some will go several feet into your yard. To determine which areas around your property are in the public right-of-way, go to the City GIS website, type in your address, and look at the property line to see where your property ends and the right-of-way begins.
Example:
Still unsure? Email TreeEquitySpokane@spokanecity.org.
Qualified arborists will determine maintenance work and priority as they make their way through each neighborhood in the work area. Dead tree removal will take priority before maintenance and planting. Please know it may take several years before maintenance work comes to your area.
Once projects are set to begin, a map will be available here to show contractor work progress and let neighborhoods check in about estimated timelines for work happening near them.
Those who have requested free trees through SpoCanopy and qualify will have a door hanger placed at their home with the number of trees that they qualify for due to space and utility conflicts. Notices of removal will be sent to locations with dead or very poor trees at least 30 days prior to work taking place. Finally, pruning notices will be sent to locations which have been selected for treatment.
Notices will be sent to homeowners/occupants 30 days in advance to inform them of the one-time opportunity for free tree removal. If you disagree with the decision to remove a tree, you will have the chance to appeal, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
We are not taking requests to deliver wood or leave wood for later pickup due to the logistical complications this would cause for work crews.
Do not wait for grant funded work to come through your neighborhood as this may take several years. You are ultimately responsible for your right-of-way trees and any urgent work should be taken care of promptly by a certified arborist. View our list of certified arborists.
The City will perform a formal bid process for the work. Eligible tree services must hold a commercial tree license.
Email TreeEquitySpokane@spokanecity.org
Non-Discrimination Statement: USDA and the City of Spokane are equal opportunity providers and employers.
Tree Equity Spokane
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
TreeEquitySpokane@spokanecity.org
