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Philly Tree Coalition

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Advocacy, Policy & Regional Impact Philly Tree Coalition

The Philly Tree Coalition is a resident-led, cross-sector partnership that includes representatives from seven priority areas across Philadelphia, as well as key partners including PHMC, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and other city agencies, PowerCorpsPHL, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the School District of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, and the Philadelphia Orchard Project.

As the primary facilitator of the Philly Tree Plan, the Philly Tree Coalition is dedicated to a 30-year vision: growing Philadelphia’s tree canopy to 30%. To achieve this, the Coalition actively drives the plan’s eight core objectives:

  • Coordinate comprehensive support for urban forestry.
  • Protect the city’s existing and future urban forest.
  • Grow the tree canopy equitably across all neighborhoods.
  • Reduce the maintenance and financial burdens of trees on residents.
  • Invest directly in local people and communities.
  • Communicate transparently while improving customer service for residents.
  • Advocate for community-led benefits derived from the urban forest.
  • Celebrate and support grassroots community engagement with trees.

 

Why PHMC?

PHMC serves as the proud host and organizational home of the Philly Tree Coalition. Drawing on more than 50 years of public health and social service leadership in the Greater Philadelphia region, PHMC deeply understands how greener neighborhoods directly elevate quality of life. Furthermore, PHMC brings decades of expertise in leveraging complex partnerships to maximize community impact.

Urban trees serve as a vital mechanism for holistic community improvement by acting as:

  • An economic driver and job market catalyst.
  • A foundation for storytelling and local placemaking.
  • A public health intervention that improves community well-being.
  • A natural tool for enhancing neighborhood safety.
  • A canvas for local arts, culture, and neighborhood beautification.
  • An experiential resource for environmental education.

With approximately 200 programs serving over 350,000 individuals annually, PHMC is uniquely positioned to connect Philadelphia residents with the multi-faceted benefits of a robust urban canopy, steered by the collective expertise of the Coalition.

Contact Us

Website:
https://www.phila.gov/programs/philly-tree-plan/
Email:
phillytreecoalition@phmc.org
Address:

1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Eligibility Criteria

The Philly Tree Plan includes citywide recommendations to expand and care for the urban forest, while also identifying priority planting areas where increased tree canopy can provide the greatest benefits to residents.

Factors used to determine priority areas include:

  • Tree canopy cover
  • Heat exposure & vulnerability
  • Air quality health risk (asthma, mental health, cancer)
  • Income
  • Impervious surfaces

Referral Process

PHMC, in collaboration with its Philly Tree Plan Partners, seeks proposals from community-based organizations for projects that further the goals of the Philly Tree Plan. Selected applicant(s) will carry out projects that support long-term sustainability of the urban forest in high-priority areas of Philadelphia.

RFP Information

RFP Timeline  

  • Application Opens: July 6, 2026  
  • Informational Webinar: July 10, 2025, 12 – 1:30 p.m. 
    >> Register for the webinar here.  A recording will be available following the webinar.
  • Office hours will be held throughout the application period. Pre-registration is required.
    >> Register for office hours here. Office hours are one-on-one, 15-minute sessions.
  • Application Closes: August  24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Notification of Award: October 2026  
  • Project Period: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027 

Resources

 

Share feedback on the RFP process:
PHMC is committed to making the Tree Forward RFP process accessible and reducing the burden on applicants. We welcome and encourage feedback to support continuous improvement. Please share your insights using our short feedback form: Access the form here.

 

Tree Forward funding was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, alongside other funding sources, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Tree Forward may not be used as a match for other DCNR funded projects.

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