Our mission

The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to grow thriving communities through stewardship of our urban forest.

Since 1982, we have been engaging the community to plant and tend over 1.5 million trees throughout the Sacramento region. We value trees for the ways they make our communities livable and lovable, so we prioritize our work in the areas that need trees the most — in under-canopied neighborhoods that don't have enough trees, and in open spaces where trees provide a respite from city life and habitat for wildlife.

With your help, we steward the urban forest throughout its whole lifecycle from seed to slab, providing opportunities for community members to learn and get involved at every stage. It begins with the acorn harvest every fall, then tree propagation and planting, onto monitoring and stewardship, and eventually salvaging fallen trees from the landfill to give them second lives as lumber.

Trees are our love letter to Sacramento. We are rooting for this place and all who live here, doing our part to grow thriving communities in every corner of this region.

Diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging

Our healthy forest is a diverse one. 

Our mission is to grow thriving communities through stewardship of our urban forest. We seek to honor the diversity and roots of this region by prioritizing equity internally and externally. We bring our whole selves and celebrate one another. From seed to slab, we work with communities to create livable and lovable communities for everyone. 

And by everyone, we mean everyone. 

Our Vision

We envision an urban forest canopy that benefits our entire region and every neighborhood, especially those that historically have been underserved and under-canopied.

We invest in our urban forest because we fully appreciate the value it brings: public health and wellness, ecological integrity, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of place.

We celebrate a person that plants a tree, a neighborhood that cares for a forest, and a region that ensures a thriving canopy—now and for future generations.

Our Guiding Principles

Community education

A community that understands the benefits of an urban forest and civic engagement will responsibly plant, care for, and nurture their trees, while inspiring others to do the same.

Social equity

All neighborhoods should have the benefits of tree-lined streets, shaded parks, and well-canopied schools.

Community well-being

Urban forests and community health are inextricably linked; the better an urban forest, the greater a community's health.

Community engagement

A thriving urban forest is only possible through a civic commitment and partnerships shared by all: neighborhoods, community groups, government, and private enterprise.

Science & research

Science and evidence-based research are the foundation for effective urban forest policies, planning, and management.

Conservation

Protecting and restoring natural environments is essential to climate resilience and our planet's sustainability.

Grassroots action

Empowered communities are the best advocates for a sustainable future.

Organizational excellence

To effectively advance our mission and uphold these guiding principles, our organization must always be striving to be its best - operationally, strategically, and financially.

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