Increasing urban canopy
The Lands Council’s Urban Forestry Program aims to increase Spokane’s urban canopy coverage by planting free trees in low-income neighborhoods with below average canopy coverage. Enhancing Spokane’s urban forests, we build a more beautiful, climate-resilient community for the future or Spokane. Our programs, CoolCanopy and SpoCanopy, work to provide equal access to the benefits of urban canopy coverage. Partnerships with the City of Spokane and the Spokane Conservation District allow us to engage with the community and plant trees to benefit everyone.
Spocanopy
SpoCanopy’s goal is to increase Spokane’s urban canopy by planting free street trees. Our trees are planted in neighborhoods with low-income, low canopy coverage, and disproportionate environmental disparities. Our goal is to provide trees to ensure all communities have access to the benefits of street trees and green spaces.
SpoCanopy’s goal is to plant 200 street trees each year. Spokane has an average of 20% canopy coverage, with the highest density neighborhoods being on the South Hill with an average of 40% canopy coverage. Northeast Spokane has an average of 13% canopy coverage. With a focus on environmental justice, we prioritize our efforts in Northeast Spokane where there is below average canopy coverage.
Benefits of Trees
What is a street tree?
While all trees have benefits, “street” trees are within the right-of-way. The right-of-way area may be a defined planting strip, or in some neighborhoods, space behind a sidewalk, or area adjacent to a curb (with no sidewalk).
Residents are required to maintain the trees including watering in the hot summer and fall months, and pruning the tree as it matures.
Map of eligible SpoCanopy neighborhoods
Coolcanopy
CoolCanopy is a sister program to SpoCanopy, a partnership between The Lands Council and The Spokane Conservation District. This program extends the benefits of urban trees not only to Spokane, but also to neighboring cities within Spokane County. CoolCanopy trees can be planted in front, back, or side yards and are not limited to street trees within the public right-of-way. Take advantage of these free trees while funding is available through USFS and EPA grants, which support the program through 2029! Use the image below to check if you qualify for a free tree by living in one of the underserved or overburdened areas.
Map of Eligible CoolCanopy Neighborhoods
Trees we have planted in the past
Click here for a list of previously planted trees.
Join Us
Funding for this project provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with Spokane Urban Forestry and Spokane Conservation District.
Thank you to our sponsors: Townshend Cellar, Avista Utilities, and The Wander Project. Thank you to our partner, Spokane Urban Forestry.
Urban forestry is community-based, and The Lands Council cannot restore our urban greenspaces without the support of our community. You can help by signing up for a free tree, volunteering to plant trees, or donating to fund a planting. Our urban forestry programs rely on volunteers, and we need your support to continue this important work!
Please join us in restoring our urban trees.
Additional Programs and Information
The City of Spokane’s new program, Tree Equity Spokane, supports more than just tree planting. If you have a tree that needs removal or pruning, visit their page for more information: Tree Equity Spokane.
