Specifications include, but are not limited to: ● Build capacity: ○ Build local community capacity to grow, manage, and care for urban and community trees and forests. ○ Assist communities in developing and implementing sustainable urban and community forest management programs. ○ Enhance the technical skills of those involved in planning, managing, or maintaining urban and community forests. ● Advance equity and justice in urban and community forestry: ○ Address environmental justice and equity issues by engaging and involving our priority communities as defined in our Equity & Justice statement and the underserved communities as defined by Federal Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government). ○ Support equitable and resilient communities by incorporating urban and community forestry in climate adaptation and resilience strategies including food sovereignty. ○ Create a diversified and inclusive workforce in urban forestry and arboriculture. ● Build partnerships and community involvement: ○ Build urban forest resilience and mitigate the impacts of invasive pests and catastrophic events. ○ Improve public awareness and understanding of the benefits of preserving, maintaining and expanding urban and community tree cover. ○ Facilitate partnerships among residents and public, private, and nonprofit organizations to encourage stewardship of urban and community forests. ○ Promote volunteerism and involvement of nonprofit organizations in implementing urban and community forestry programs.
