Urban Forestry
Tacoma’s Urban Forestry Program works to sustain a healthy, vibrant urban forest that benefits everyone. Tacoma’s trees are essential to clean air, cool neighborhoods, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve public health outcomes. Our goal is to increase canopy cover from approximately 20% to 30% by 2030 while ensuring equitable distribution of trees across all neighborhoods.
Our dedicated team works behind the scenes to support the City’s urban forestry efforts, managing internal operations related to urban forestry policies and practices as well as engaging with community members to address challenges in tree planting and education. Explore the links below to learn more about our programs, how you can get involved, our Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), and other resources to support a thriving urban forest.
Incentive Programs & Engagement Opportunities
Tree Care & Planting Resources
Urban Forestry Policy, Planning, and Manuals
Tacoma Canopy Cover
Trees in the Right-of-Way
Urban Forestry Projects
Meet Our Team
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Mike CareyUrban Forest Program Manager
Mike has worked in Green Infrastructure with the City since 2011, has been the City’s Urban Forester since 2015, and is an ISA Certified Arborist since 2011. With roots in landscape architecture, construction, and restoration ecology, he is responsible for directing the City’s urban forestry programs and developing policy to enhance the city’s tree canopy cover in support of the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Mike is grateful to influence investments in our natural environment to have a positive impact on community health outcomes.Favorite Tree(s): Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) – for resilience; Quercus garryana (Garry oak) – for local ecology; Aesculus hippocastanum (European horse-chestnut) – for co-evolution with pollinating insects.
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Lisa KennyCommunity Trees Program Coordinator
Lisa is a certified ISA Arborist with a background in conservation, habitat restoration, community engagement, and even mushroom cultivation. Lisa is passionate about uplifting the voices of people of color in the larger environmental movement, as we will experience climate impacts first and worst. Lisa believes our communities hold innovative solutions needed to transform this narrative. She passionately manages the City’s tree incentive programs, such as the Tree Coupon Program, Grit City Trees, and the Community Tree Program.Favorite Tree(s): Magnolias and Oaks! Magnolia × soulangeana (Saucer magnolia) in memory of her late grandmother and Quercus frainetto ‘Schmidt’, a more recent favorite.
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Christean JenkinsUrban Forest Intern
Christean has education and work experience related to science and natural resource communication and education, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and equity, including past urban forestry experience. Christean appreciates the role that trees play in making communities safer and healthier and is eager to help more people experience the benefits of trees by supporting the City’s urban forestry projects and programs.Favorite tree: Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce)
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Ryan HebertUrban Forest Analyst
Originally hailing from northern Wisconsin, Ryan arrived in Tacoma in early 2020 after years of community development and reforestation work in Detroit. Ryan is an ISA certified Arborist focused on cross-departmental operations, research, and program design to improve urban forestry outcomes. This includes stewarding progress of the Urban Forest Management Plan, management of tree programs like the Hazardous Tree Assistance and Heritage Tree Programs, and overseeing citywide tree inventory data and urban wood reutilization efforts. He loves biking around Tacoma in search of its biggest trees.Favorite Tree: Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine)