The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative and ArbNet programs will lead a national collaborative team to assess the USDA Forest Service’s Reforestation, Nursery, Genetic Resource unit (RNGR) nursery inventory and implement additional urban and community forestry (UCF)-centric assessments focusing on desired species traits in order to produce climate-ready, culturally resonate, regional tree species lists. Further, innovative, urban-focused climate vulnerability assessments will support the climate evaluations of each species. 

In order to appropriately customize our efforts across the diversity of climates and environments in the U.S. we have partnered with Cleveland MetroParks, International Society of Arboriculture, Rocky Mountain College, Tree Pittsburgh, and University of Washington Botanic Gardens to lead targeted national and regional coverage, along with an extensive list of additional regional and community-based organizations. The strong college and university involvement will also provide green career exposure and real world application for students as part of the project. 

In order to guarantee these recommendations are ground-tested and feasible given the traditional lack of representation and job opportunities in UCF for disadvantaged communities, a communities-focused approach to assessing capacity limitations and gaps in workforce development including urban nursery establishment, development, and management for disadvantaged community members will be prioritized.