Guam Urban & Community Forestry Program

To foster resilient and adaptive urban ecosystems that mitigate impacts created by increased development and climate change, while delivering benefits to the public through the recruitment and training of community volunteers.

"The mission of the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) is to promote science-based forest management that serves the values of society and ensures the health and sustainability of western forests."

Program Goals

 

The primary goals of the urban and community forestry program are:

  • Launch initiatives that position the West to respond to the forest resource needs of the public.

  • Strengthen the voice of Western forestry as it relates to matters of forest policy and land management.

  • Facilitate the development, integration and implementation of Western State & Private Forestry programs.

  • Maximize federal and state financial investments by combining resources and partnerships across agency and ownership boundaries.

  • Tackle emerging West-wide issues by providing research, recommending policies, and coordinating efforts across land ownerships.

Guam's UCF program not only focuses on tree planting projects and education, but also engages in challenging topics such as invasive species control, the role of trees in shoreline protection and restoration practices, measuring the environmental benefits of street trees, and other unique projects such as supporting chemical trials for control of the Erythrina Gall Wasp.

The key to the success of this program is the blend of partners, people, and projects. Project elements such as environmental change, advanced planning, leadership, volunteer commitment, community involvement, interagency partnerships, appropriate plant selection, proper horticultural procedures and maintenance became leading indicators of successful urban forestry projects.

Guam UCF helps communities improve the quality of life within the built environment through actively participating in urban forestry projects and gaining a better understanding of the role trees play in cities and neighborhoods.

  • Arbor Month

    In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Guam Forestry Division, a resolution was signed to commemorate October as Arbor Month on October 12th, 2021. The Arbor Day event was a virtual live event hosted on Instagram, with community and interdepartmental partners presenting on how trees are important to their group and how they engage with Guam's trees.

  • Current Projects

    the UCF Program is working on creating an interactive native tree garden at the Untalan Middle School that provides species growth and habitat, cultural and other historical use, and wildlife habitat information via recorded videos that are accessed through qr codes and an augmented reality app. Subsequently, more schools are planned to create native tree gardens within their school grounds.