Non Profit Madison-Based Urban Forestry
Our Mission
Founded in 2011, the Urban Tree Alliance is a non-profit organization serving the greater Madison, WI area. Our mission is to preserve and grow the urban forest canopy in a sustainable and innovative manner in partnership with the public.
The Urban Tree Alliance is committed to providing Madison-area residents with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to grow and maintain a healthy, resilient urban forest. We support homeowners in caring for trees on their property, and we empower groups to tackle community forestry projects. Learn more about our projects.
Our Work
Neighborhood Forest Project
Thanks to generous grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison Community Foundation, and the MGE Foundation, the Urban Tree Alliance (UTA) is thrilled to announce an exciting new opportunity for property owners in the Greater Madison area. We’re offering free trees throughout Madison’s South Side community to help grow and preserve our urban forest canopy. All property types within the project boundaries are eligible and encouraged to apply. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A TREE.
Our Work
Madison Canopy Project
From 2014 to 2021, the Urban Tree Alliance ran the Madison Canopy Project, a neighborhood-based tree planting program. We first identified areas of the city most in need of trees using a GIS-based mapping analysis and then offered trees to residents in targeted areas free of charge. In total, this program worked with over 350 individual property owners and led to the planting of over 650 trees. The Madison Canopy Project was suspended in 2022. As resources become available, we may be able to offer it again in the future.
Our Work
Campus Canopy Project
Beginning in 2017, the UTA partnered with the Madison Metropolitan School District to develop a comprehensive management strategy for its trees. This began as a complete inventory and analysis of existing tree resources, with particular attention to ash trees and their projected decline from the emerald ash borer. This analysis was then used a basis for estimating future tree-related costs and work priorities.
Our Work
Yahara Canopy Project
In 2016, the Urban Tree Alliance partnered with the Clean Lakes Alliance to assess and analyze the role of urban trees in local stormwater runoff quantity and quality. This project utilized GIS and I-Tree Hydro, an urban forestry modeling software, to analyze the relationships between trees and water within the Yahara River watershed and the major urbanized sub-watersheds within it.
Urban forests provide a multitude of benefits that make city-dwelling enjoyable. They remove air pollutants, lessen home heating and cooling costs, reduce the urban heat-island effect, absorb noise, capture stormwater, sequester carbon, increase property values, and provide cultural and aesthetic value. Below you’ll find a summary each of these services.
Large trees provide exponentially greater services to their community. This is why the Urban Tree Alliance stresses the importance of caring for aging trees.
Air Pollution Removal
Heating & Cooling Costs
Urban Heat Infrared Effect
Stormwater Capture
Property Value Increase