Madison Canopy Project
2014-2021
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.
Campus Canopy Project
2017-Present
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.
Tree planting needs were identified and quantified as a central component of the resulting urban forest master plan. This planting component has directed four subsequent years of planting efforts to replace ash trees and further grow and diversify campus canopies. To date, we’ve planted over 320 trees at 18 Madison schools.
In 2018, the Campus Canopy Project also grew to include the following school districts: Middleton/Cross Plains, Waunakee, Stoughton, Monona Grove, and Sun Prairie. An urban forest management plan was prepared for each of these districts. In Waunakee, the UTA has helped facilitate an additional 45 tree plantings.
Yahara Canopy Project
2016-Present
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. The program also began a continuing partnership with the City of Madison Engineering Department Stormwater Division. Through this collaboration, the UTA helped facilitate a range of tree plantings associated with the city’s stormwater infrastructure, including plantings associated with the Starkweather Creeks, Royster Oaks stormwater retention area, and the Dixon Openspace.
Gravel Bed Nursery
The Urban Tree Alliance has partnered with Dane Parks for use of a gravel bed nursery. This critical infrastructure allows us to extend the planting season for bare-root trees and significantly reduce planting costs.
