By Marta Rusek 

An ambitious plan is underway in Philadelphia that will revitalize neighborhoods, create jobs, and increase our city’s urban forest. At PHS, we’ve long stewarded the idea of planting a foundation now for a better tomorrow, especially in areas where there is little green infrastructure due to historic disinvestment.  

As we move into our annual fall tree planting blitz taking place November 11-17, PHS is also making big strides in a pioneering, city-wide initiative to rebuild tree canopy. Thanks to a $12 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Philly Tree Plan has been set in motion to increase the city’s tree coverage to 30% by 2035. This ten-year strategic plan to equitably grow Philly's tree canopy is a joint effort co-led by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) in partnership with Parks & Recreation, Public Health Management Corporation, and others. 

The USDA Federal Grant for the Philly Tree Plan is one of the largest federal funding grants ever received for urban forestry in Philadelphia, and it was made possible through the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. 

Phase 1 of the plan calls for community collaboration to plant trees in seven high priority neighborhoods starting in 2025. For residents in these strategically underserved neighborhoods, the Philly Tree Plan promises to redefine what it means to live in a healthy, green, vibrant urban environment. 

“We’re prioritizing the neighborhoods where there's the least tree canopy today,” explained Matt Rader, President of PHS. "These neighborhoods often are the same neighborhoods where the greatest health challenges and the greatest historical inequities are.” 

By focusing on neighborhoods with the least tree coverage, the plan seeks to uplift Philly communities that need it most while fostering neighborhood pride and creating brighter, healthier futures. 

Making Neighborhoods Safe and Healthier 

Research has shown that increased tree canopy leads to cleaner air, which is crucial for addressing health issues in urban areas, like asthma. In particular, the USDA Forest Service estimates that having a 30% tree canopy would help prevent over 400 premature deaths per year in Philadelphia, including over 200 premature deaths in areas that have been historically underserved.   

Additionally, neighborhoods with more trees have been linked to reduced crime rates and a heightened sense of safety among residents.  

“Trees make neighborhoods safer,” Matt explained. “They create cleaner air and cooler streets. That causes people to walk outside and get to know one another, which all has positive physical and mental health impacts.” 

In 2025, the plan will kick into high gear in the neighborhoods of: 

• East and West Fairmount Park 
• Cobbs Creek 
• Parkside in West Philadelphia 
• Strawberry Mansion in North Philadelphia 
• Southwest Philadelphia 
• Northeast Philadelphia 

PHS has brought its volunteer and community-led model to the Philly Tree Plan’s implementation, so residents living in these neighborhoods will take an active role in planting and caring for the trees as they grow.  

Creating Green Jobs for a Greener Future 

Another key component of the Philly Tree Plan is job creation and workforce development training. Planting and caring for trees requires skilled labor, which creates more opportunities for small businesses and employment for residents in the priority neighborhoods. 

“If we're spending more to plant and care for trees, and the urban forest is growing, that requires people to do the work, which means that you have more city jobs around tree care, more contractor opportunities, and more employment with contractors,” Matt explained.  

In other words, the plan ensures that these green jobs won't be fleeting; they're built to last. “There’s already high demand in the tree industry for talent, and we’re training more talent to match that.” 

The Tree Plan’s added benefit of generating employment opportunities for returning citizens is a huge plus for communities. By offering training and job placements in tree care and landscaping, the plan opens doors for Philadelphians seeking to reintegrate into society and secure stable employment. This initiative not only strengthens the workforce but also builds a sense of purpose and belonging among residents who may have faced barriers in the past. As the trees they helped plant and care for grow over time, so does their sense of pride and community connection.  

Measuring Milestones As 2035 Approaches 

Achieving the future of Philadelphia’s urban forest is a group effort, which is where the newly formed Philly Tree Coalition comes into play. The Philly Tree Coalition will be housed at PHS and thanks to the USDA grant, the Coalition will have two full-time staff members to lead implementation of the plan, set annual goals, coordinate activities among organizational partners and monitor its progress. Staff will collect and share information about the progress of the plan as we move forward. 

Community involvement goes beyond the priority neighborhoods – individuals across the city are invited to get involved and support the Philly Tree Plan as volunteers, including upcoming volunteer opportunities during PHS’s semi-annual tree planting  this fall.

Making a Global Model for Urban Forests 

Beyond being just a local initiative, the Philly Tree Plan has the potential to serve as a model for other cities around the world. It promotes the transformational mindset that having equitable tree coverage is as essential as public transit and libraries. 

“The Philly Tree Plan thinks about trees as a citywide asset that we need in order to produce the health outcomes, economic outcomes, and quality of life that we want to deliver as a city,” Matt explained. 

The close coordination between local government and the private sector is also innovative. Instead of having multiple nonprofit organizations and government agencies operate loosely in parallel, the Philly Tree Plan demonstrates the power of collaborative efforts between city government, local organizations, and community members on the ground.  

As Matt explains, this is “more efficient and much more likely to yield big results than we could functioning as independent players.” 

The Philadelphia Tree Plan is more than a strategy for increasing tree canopy—it’s a blueprint for transforming Philadelphia into a healthier, more equitable city. 

How To Get Involved 

Tree planting and cultivation is happening right now to build up volunteers and experience ahead of the  2025 push to plant trees across these seven priority neighborhoods. Volunteers are invited to participate in PHS’s upcoming tree planting from November 11 to 17, 2024.