Crisis in San Francisco

Friends of the Urban Forest Casts Net on Web

Street trees play a critical role in the health and beauty of San Francisco's dense urban setting. But now the future of San Francisco's trees is in jeopardy.

Can a web site make a difference in this situation? Here's one that tries.

Every year city funding allows Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) to plant 2,000 trees and to provide follow-up care for 7,500 trees. Since 1981, FUF has planted over 35,000 street trees through community-based, volunteer tree plantings. San Franciscans rely on FUF's 3,500 volunteers to help plant and maintain trees for a more beautiful and healthy city.

But the San Francisco mayor's proposed budget threatens to eliminate funding for Friends of the Urban Forest and cripple the services FUF offers. Without city funding, thousands of trees in the public right of way won't receive tree care in the coming year and thousands of new trees won't be planted to sustain and grow the urban forest.

That's why Friends of the Urban Forest, a San Francisco nonprofit organization, has launched a public appeal to inform city officials of the need for support for urban forestry.

To learn more about how you can help, visit the FUF website at www.fuf.net or call 415/561-6890.

Friends of the Urban Forest is a member of the National Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). ACT is a network of non-profit urban forestry organizations, dedicated to strengthening the citizen forestry movement. Members receive multiple benefits, including regular information products such as this one. To join ACT, contact 301-699-2203 or alice@pobox.com and public agencies to promote citizen forestry.