PARTNER WITH US TO PLANT A TREE

Our Mission: Put Down Roots
As Arizona begins to plan its centennial, let's join hands and plant hundreds of trees to celebrate Arizona's 100th birthday. It's a lofty goal, but with everyone's help, we can do it. Adding hundreds of trees to Arizona's landscape will provide our local neighborhoods and communities with shade, erosion, air pollution control, wildlife habitats, fire restoration, and much, much more. Partner with us and let us know how many trees your community planted this year (volunteer, non-profit projects only).

Who:  The Arizona Community Tree Council
The Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc. (ACTC) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the care & planting of trees, and promotes the education and exchange of information about trees and the essential role they play in the well being of all Arizona communities. The Council is composed of representatives from individual Arizona counties, tribal communities, government agencies, professional organizations and other individuals who have a statewide interest in the Council's mission.

What:  Put Down Roots
Arizona has been growing fast as a mesquite! This growth has a domino effect. We have more houses, more businesses, more buildings, more schools, more stadiums, more of everything. The ACTC wants to ensure that with Arizona's growth, Arizona is also growing more trees for a healthier, happier and cooler state.

Planting trees produces more oxygen that cleans our air and reduces pollution levels. Planting trees is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective ways to help ease these growing pains. Trees help clean our air, and reduce the pollutants that trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate other respiratory diseases. They cool our streets, sidewalks, and homes on hot summer days. Trees increase property value, and encourage neighborhood revitalization. Trees make our cities an even more beautiful and comfortable place to live, work, and visit.

Where:  Throughout Arizona

When:  This year and beyond

Why:  For a cooler, greener, healthier Arizona

Replant More Trees
According to Arizona State University, the Phoenix area has an estimated 11-13% vegetative cover. Currently, trees are not being replanted at the same rate as they are being removed. Urban and rural communities have not always considered trees and shade a critical component of developed infrastructure. This thought process is changing. One example is the City of Phoenix, which has recently adopted a Tree and Shade Master Plan, an on-line portal document outlining three major goals:
 • Raise Awareness (educate);
 • Preserve, Protect and Increase; and
 • Sustainable and Maintainable Infrastructure.

Our plan focuses on establishing community partnerships (both public and private) to obtain short- and long-term goals. Our "Putting Down Roots / Keeping Arizona Cool" campaign develops a strategy for helping to create a healthier, cooler, more livable and prosperous Arizona.

Benefits of Adding More Trees
Trees provide shade, beautify our surroundings, absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, help the environment, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, give wildlife a home, increase property values, decrease energy use, lessen noise pollution, lower air temperatures, add character to neighborhoods, save cost of utilities, reduce storm water run-off , and give us a sense of peace and tranquility. The Center for Urban Forest Research, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, recently published the "Desert Southwest Community Tree Guide," a quantitative report on the benefits and costs for typical trees in the Southwest. Results showed that average annual benefits increased with mature tree size.

How to Get Involved
For information on partnering with the ACTC, please contact Heilee O'Quinn at 602-354-3023.

Current Partners