The County’s Equity-Driven Tree Planting Program Earns Award

01/21/26

The County of San Diego’s (County’s) Equity-Driven Tree Planting Program (EDTPP) was recently awarded the Outstanding Urban Forestry Program Award for 2025 by the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council (SDRUFC). SDRUFC recognizes projects that strengthen the region’s urban forest and advance cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities. Each year, SDRUFC highlights programs that work on tree planting, tree equity, urban greening, climate resilience, park access, urban wood reclamation, tree health and preservation, and urban forestry research.
 

SDRUFC Award

The EDTPP was selected for its leadership in prioritizing historically underserved communities in expanding tree canopy across the unincorporated area. The EDTPP directly improves environmental quality, cools neighborhoods, and ensures more equitable access to shade, greenery, and healthier outdoor spaces while also supporting Climate Action Plan Measure A-2.

A cornerstone of EDTPP’s success was the creation of the EDTPP Equity Working Group (EWG), which helped guide program development through an equity lens. The EWG was made up of ten organizations of environmental justice and equity leaders, including Climate Action Campaign, Mundo Gardens, San Diego 350, San Diego Food System Alliance, Institute for Public Strategies, Sunrise Movement, Three Sisters Gardens, North San Diego County NAACP, Sustainable Urban Network, San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition, and the County’s Community Emergency Response Team. From August 2024 through June 2025, the group met bi-monthly to ensure that program participation was accessible and inclusive. The group’s feedback was incorporated into a comprehensive final report outlining recommendations to support program implementation.
 

EDTPP

The EDTPP was also recognized because of the efforts to develop and implement the Private Property Tree Planting Initiative that includes a choice of tree selection and a user friendly reporting application to track tree planting. Since September, the County has distributed 952 trees to unincorporated residents at no cost, with additional community distribution events planned for 2026.

The County’s Sustainability Planning Division is honored by this recognition and remains committed to leading efforts that will build a more sustainable, healthy, and resilient future! Residents can stay informed about future planting events and program updates by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and can follow SDRUFC on Instagram @SDRUFC.