Forest Releaf of Missouri

Priority ReLeaf - Forest ReLeaf prioritizes strategic planting locations that help vulnerable communities recover their tree canopy. The Priority ReLeaf program serves financially underserved neighborhoods and communities struggling to overcome natural disasters such as a tornado or invasive species attack. In addition to the free 3-gallon trees, this program provides larger 15-gallon trees for planting that can quickly fill in canopy gaps. Trained staff support Priority ReLeaf partners helping select species, informing planting plans, and hosting volunteer planting events. Forest ReLeaf assumes on-going maintenance responsibilities for some Priority ReLeaf projects if community need outstrips the community's ability to provide for the sites. The program serves 40 partners each year on average and targets equity-seeking communities in need.

Outreach and Education - To grow a healthy community forest, it is critical to build the public's capacity and confidence around trees, Forest ReLeaf's program engages people of all ages with the immense benefits trees provide to people and places. Understanding empowers the public to take action growing a resilient urban trees canopy where community thrives. Core programming within the program includes a 6-week intensive TreeKeepers training for adults, an annual elementary Tree Camp, a summer internship program for college students, as well as workshops, lectures, and partner trainings.

Other programming services - partner with local government agencies to conduct an urban tree canopy assessment in the St. Louis, Missouri area, an effort that serves as a benchmark for measuring the success of tree planting programs and helping educate the public about the many benefits of urban trees.