2016-2026 National Urban Community Forestry Action Plan

The 2016-2026 Plan drove significant federal funding and priorities for Urban and Community forestry. View the 2016-2026 National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan and associated resources:

Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan — for the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and the Community of Practice: 2016-2026

FAQ on the Draft 2027-2037 Ten Year Action Plan

The following questions were asked during the public webinar for the draft Action Plan.

Where can I find the return on investment study referenced in the draft plan?
The return on investment findings are summarized in Appendix F (Funding Report) of the draft Action Plan. 

Where can I find information about the Partners in Community Forestry Conference?
Details about the conference are available at this link. The project team will be at the conference on November 19th to share information about the draft plan and remind attendees to submit comments.

Did State Urban and Community Forestry Coordinators provide input on this plan?
Yes. The project team held three focus groups for state forestry agencies (December 2025, March 2026, and May 2026), with about 31 participants in total. State Coordinators also took part in two general focus groups in April 2026. The input form doesn’t confirm each respondent’s exact role, but 11 respondents identified with State Forestry Agencies and 19 with City and County Forestry or Parks Departments. The team also worked with the USDA Forest Service to share engagement opportunities with State Coordinators.

How widely should I share the draft plan and public comment information?
As widely as possible. Please share the draft plan and comment details with your networks, partners, and anyone involved in or affected by urban and community forestry. An outreach toolkit is linked above.

Will there be more in-person outreach beyond the Partners in Community Forestry Conference?
No other in-person events are planned. Once the plan is finalized, people and organizations will have the information they need to share it with their communities and networks.

How is the plan reaching Spanish-speaking and Hispanic workers for training in proper tree care?
The Workforce and Economy section of the plan covers training and workforce development. The public comment form is available in Spanish so Spanish speakers can give input on the draft. The full plan will not be translated.

Where can I find resources on urban wood?
The main body of the plan covers urban wood. The Key Insights Report also has more detail from the engagement process.

Who approves the plan, and what happens after it is finalized?
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) approves the final plan. The USDA Forest Service will then do a final review as part of closing out the grant agreement, expected in February or March 2027. The plan will then go to the Secretary of Agriculture for information and comment, and for any action items the Forest Service will need to address.

Is there a website that tracks the plan’s progress on key performance indicators?
Not at this time. If you would like to see regular progress tracking, such as annual updates, please include that suggestion in your public comment.

Will there be a public response to the comments submitted?
Yes. After the public comment period closes, the project team will share a follow-up on the comments received and how they informed the final plan.