2022 Winner, State of Florida
Outstanding Tree Advocates
2021 Winner, State of Florida
Outstanding Project
Greenscape of Jacksonville
As the oldest tree advocacy non-profit in Florida, we gather volunteers to plant trees in parks, schools and preserves to offset canopy loss in fast-developing Florida. Our projects are planned in line with the national goals of Tree Equity and our city’s goals of improved resilience. Tree Equity simply means uneven canopy coverage and we use the scoring model developed by American Forests to target areas with low coverage. We also target resilience needs, like adding shade to Urban Heat Islands, a City of Jacksonville priority.
Greenscape is the City of Jacksonville’s official Arbor Day host, and we hold the Great Tree Giveaway each fall in celebration. Thousands of trees are given away to the public to help increase trees on private property.
In addition to planting trees, we host community outreach programs. For each planting, we connect with the residents who live nearby by providing talks on “Careers in Urban Forestry,” programs for Girl and Boy Scouts earning badges, or fun educational talks for elementary school students. We don’t just plant trees – we grow community!
When we’re not planting or maintaining our trees, we’re at City Hall advocating for a healthy, growing urban forest. We were honored to be invited by the city’s Chief Resiliency Officer to represent the tree advocacy community in crafting the city’s first-ever Resilience Plan. Released in October 2023, we look forward to helping to see its goals become reality and use trees as tools to increase the city’s ability to withstand storms, rising temperatures, and population growth.
The best way to understand what we do is to come to one of our fall or spring plantings. Meet fellow citizens, learn about a part of town new to you, and impact our community in an immediate and long-lasting way. Come plant with us!
Mission
To Plant, Protect, and Promote trees.
Vision
A thriving tree canopy that benefits residents, promotes resiliency, and sustains a growing urban forest.