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Atlanta is "The City in the Forest"
Atlanta is "The City in the Forest"
The City Forest Certification connects a network of properties across the city that act in unison to grow the city in a forest neighbor by neighbor. With a holistic approach, the program encourages people to connect to the local land around them and pursue tree stewardship by also supporting the environment, people, other plants, and animals.
Trees play critical roles in the environment by cleaning the air and cooling temperatures, in our lives by improving our health and well-being, and by creating habitats and providing food for other plants and animals. Program participants might learn how to install a rain garden, volunteer with an environmental non-profit, collect data for a community science initiative, plant a new shade tree, mulch a street tree, build a butterfly puddle, or grow a pollinator meadow.
Each of these activities is called a goal. Participants pick and choose from 37 different goals to certify a property. As participants achieve goals, points called “acorns” are collected. After earning a minimum of 16 acorns, the property earns the Standard City Forest Certification. The accomplishment will receive recognition with a sign displaying the words “City Forest Certified.”
Going above and beyond the standard certification, Trees Atlanta, in partnership with eight other organizations, has created custom stewardship tracks that offer dual certifications. Stewardship tracks take more acorns to earn and organize a list of goals that best supports both trees and one other component of our urban forest, specifically “amphibians,” “bats,” birds,” “climate,” “fireflies,” “pollinators,” “climate” or “local food.” Partner organizations include Amphibian Foundation, the Georgia Bat Working Group, Georgia Audubon, Climate Reality Now Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta Firefly Project, Food Well Alliance, and the Great Georgia Pollinator Census.
Whether residential, community, or commercial properties, any property within the metro-Atlanta counties of Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, and Fulton can participate, including large properties (considered anything > 4 acres). Even apartments and properties with no yards can participate (certification signs can be attached to apartment doors). All have a role to play; collectively, we grow the forest.
The program has a suggested one-time donation of $65 to cover the program fees, staff time, and signage.
The 37 goals are divided into four categories:
1) Trees & The Environment, 2) Trees & People, 3) Trees & Plants, and 4) Trees & Animals
Trees & The Environment
These goals are grouped to address environmental problems and ecosystem services centered around trees. Most of these goals relate to water, energy, and waste reduction.
Trees & People
These goals are grouped to address community and social issues centered around trees. Most of these goals relate to volunteering, community, and education involving the certificate program.
Trees & Plants
These goals are grouped to address forests, trees and native plant protection. Most of these goals relate to planting, land management, and tree-friendly practices.
Trees & Animals
These goals are grouped to address city wildlife. Most of these goals relate to creating wildlife-friendly habitats and practices.
Goals Include
Reuse rainwater 🌰-1
Rain garden 🌰- 2
Compost 🌰- 1
Reduce impervious 🌰- 1-2
Local food sources 🌰- 1
Reduce & recycle 🌰- 1
Passive energy 🌰- 2
Goals Include
Volunteer 🌰-1-3
Local planning 🌰-1
Recruit a neighbor 🌰-2
Plant swap or meet-up 🌰-1
Education event 🌰-1-3
Garden tour 🌰-2
City Forest volunteer 🌰-4
Awareness 🌰-1
Goals Include
Reduce the lawn 🌰-2
Canopy cover🌰-1-4
Native plants 🌰-2
Herbicides/Fertilizers 🌰-1
Care for existing trees 🌰-1
Remove invasive plants 🌰-2
Diverse landscape 🌰-2
Leave the leaves 🌰-1
Reduce mowing 🌰-1
Grow three layers 🌰-1
Grow a shade tree 🌰-2
Adopt public trees 🌰-2
Goals Include
Wildlife water source 🌰-1
Wildlife houses 🌰-1
No mosquito spraying 🌰-1
Bird-safe glass 🌰-2
Provide cover 🌰-1
Reduce outdoor lights 🌰-1
Nature-friendly fencing 🌰-1
Clean bird feeders 🌰-1
Grow fruit 🌰-1
Pollinator meadow 🌰-2
The City Forest Process follows five steps
The City Forest Process follows five steps
INQUIRE: To get the certification process started, you will complete a basic inquiry form located below and remit the optional donation fee. Following this submission, you will receive an automated email confirming the form submission.
SITE VISIT: Within 1 month, a City Forest Certified volunteer will contact you to schedule a time to meet you in person for a ~1-hour site visit at the property. Following the site visit, you will be sent a summary of the visit that features and the goals needed to meet certification. You also will have access to the supplementary resources including short information videos and instructions for implementing each goal. In addition, you will have access to the City Forest Facebook Group to network and socialize with other City Forest Certified members.
IMPLEMENT: Using the site summary and resources, you will implement program goals. You may take as long as you would like during this phase.
FOLLOW-UP: Once you have finished implementing the goals needed to meet certification requirements, you will let us know you are ready for final certification via provided instructions. The city forest volunteer will contact you to schedule their return visit to confirm you meet the certification requirements, celebrate the accomplishment, and present you with the "City Forest Certified" sign.
RENEWAL: An annual digital renewal confirmation questionnaire will be distributed to confirm if the property is still participating in the program. There is no fee associated with annual renewal.
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