Beyond the work that can be achieved through the larger Canopy Team, there is an opportunity for further progress to be made by redefining and boosting the existing partnership between the City of Charlotte and TreesCharlotte.
In broad terms, urban forestry management involves a range of tasks, including pruning, removal, responding to service requests, planting and new tree care, public relations, and education. Currently, the city holds much of the responsibility and full ownership of public trees but lacks the resources to proactively care for them. Most of the city's tree care is reactive (responding to calls for service, emergency care, etc.) Proactive care is critical for public safety, but also to extend the life of the existing tree canopy. |
Case Study: Combining Youth Employment Opportunities with New Tree Care in Indianapolis. Newly planted public trees in Indianapolis don't always have predetermined caretakers, so Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (the city's nonprofit tree partner) employs a team of youth to serve the role of needed new tree establishment and care. The Youth Tree Team (YTT) program, which began in 2008, pays local high school students to water, mulch, prune, stake, and plant public trees for seven weeks each summer. The program is supported through general funding sources (corporate, foundation) and other donations. Learn more about KIB's Youth Tree Team.
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