NUCFAC: Making your voice count for the health of urban environments

The 1990 Farm Bill created the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to bring together the wide variety of voices raised about a common concern: the present health and future preservation of America’s urban treescapes. NUCFAC was founded to synthesize the full spectrum of views into a consistent vision, as a foundation for practical policy on urban forestry.
 
Gathering community perspectives

Reflecting diversity is a top priority in NUCFAC’s efforts. This means gathering input from the many community organizations with a special interest in urban ecology, while also respecting the contribution of concerned individuals from all perspectives. Whether you are a respected urban forestry expert or simply a citizen with a point to express, your voice matters at NUCFAC.
 
 
 
 

Your opportunity to make a difference
At the bottom line, federal policymakers listen to NUCFAC because NUCFAC listens to you. Input from all voices in the urban forest is gathered through a variety of means.

 

Public forums -NUCFAC hears important perspectives on urban forestry issues through periodic public meetings across the US, along with continual interaction on the Internet

Personal contact - the NUCFAC board is made up of 15 members, each chosen by the Secretary of Agriculture to represent all constituencies in the urban forestry landscape. Each of our board members welcome one-on-one dialog with others who share their hope that urban forests will stay healthy and growing.

Grant review - much valuable insight is gained from applicants for Challenge Cost Share Grants, who share both their perspectives and their passion for making grassroots improvements on the local level.

 
 
 
 
 
What NUCFAC does...and what you can do to help

National action for the care of local treescapes- The ultimate goal of NUCFAC is to turn local perspectives like yours into practical, effective policy on urban forestry. This was the original intent of the law in 1990, when they created NUCFAC to maintain a direct line of communication to the US Secretary of Agriculture. Today, the goal is accomplished through a full range of NUCFAC activities:
 
National action plans - NUCFAC is the author and chief steward of a national action plan for urban and community forestry, first created in response to the 1990 Farm Bill and continually updated in subsequent years. Through NUCFAC’s efforts, the Action Plan has remained a key source of policy-making guidance to USDA and Forest Service personnel.
 

Challenge Cost Share Grants – by administering an annual program of cash grants to local organizations, NUCFAC helps local individuals and organizations implement urban forestry initiatives.

Advising the Secretary - each year, NUCFAC creates an Annual Report for the US Secretary of Agriculture, designed specifically to turn the input and suggestions of citizens and organizations nationwide into a set of forest-friendly policies.

 
 
 
 
 
The fruit of interaction: a shared vision-
The ultimate hope is that therelationship between you andNUCFAC will go deeper than conversation and beyond action, to forge a common vision forthe long term welfare of urban ecosystemsacross America.

Thank you for your passion and dedication for the urban forest that surrounds you. Let us join together toward realizing the vision that founded NUCFAC, and that anyone who cares about the urban forest can heartily share.

  • Improving the quality of life for all citizens wherethey live, work and play
  • Using trees and vegetation to enhance communitypride and identity
  • Creating a better understanding of our biological,psychological and cultural connection to theecological systems that sustain our lives
  • Cultivating appreciation for the social, economic,environmental and aesthetic value of trees and community forests
  • Fostering self-sustaining municipal forestry programs and volunteer-based organizations; encouraging the coordination and development of multicultural professional training and education programs related to urban forestry
  • Stimulating additional urban forestry funding from traditional and non-traditional sources; supporting expanded research and assuring widespread distribution of findings
  • Promoting partnerships that include the private sector and that lead to the creation of new jobs and contribute to healthier economies

For additional information, please contact the Council’s Executive Assistant,
Suzanne M. del Villar at sdelvillar@fs.fed.us, or (909) 585-9268.