Technology + Private Funding = Tree Planting Programs for Everyone!

How to Get Started

Nancy Hughes, Executive Director, CA Urban Forests Council

Kelaine Ravdin, Urban ecology consultant, Urban Ecos

California EnerTrees background

CA EnerTrees deliverablesAnalysis of Marin’s urban forest Shade tree pilot project

How and why?

How do trees conserve energy?

Summer energy savings of a large deciduous tree in Fresno, CA: 417 kWh/year = $45

Winter energy savings of a large evergreen tree in Nebraska City, NE: 30 therms/year = $30

Why do we want trees to conserve energy?

Scherer Power Plant, Macon, GA

Los Angeles

Why would utility companies want to conserve energy?

• Government mandate to reduce air pollutants or greenhouse gases

• Difficulties meeting energy needs of customers, particularly during peak periods

• Green public relations

Shade Tree Programs Across North America

Shade Tree Programs Across North America

• Clear guidelines on where to plant

Lessons learned: Components of a successful program

Clear guidelines on where to plant

• Clear guidelines on where to plant• Wide and sensible species availability• Ability to track trees, document program• Random future inspections• Adequate online resources• Good customer service• Collaboration with nurseries

Lessons learned: Components of a successful program

For the complete report: http://www.caufc.org/documents/CA_EnerTrees_final_report.pdf

A strategic tree planting energy-efficiency program

&

Energy Saving Trees + CA EnerTrees A shade tree program for everyone!

Your Energy Saving Trees program: TreesDirect delivery: 2-4’ trees Customer pickup: any size

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Outreach

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Website

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Dashboard

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Dashboard

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Dashboard

Your Energy Saving Trees program: Legal stuff

Visit: caufc.org/enertrees OR energysavingtrees.arborday.org/?referredby=caufc#ForUtilities

What do you need to get started?

Getting started

1. Provide company info 2. Decide on marketing tools

Getting started

3. Provide service zip codes 4. Choose tree species

Getting started

5. Decide how to validate customers 6. Customize content

Getting started: Program costs

Trees• Arbor Day Foundation

seedlings: $20-30 each• Trees provided by you: $10-

100

Outreach• Bill inserts• Flyers and posters• Other advertising

The price of a good project starts at about $7,000.

Getting started: Finding funding

• Local utility support • State forestry grants• Corporate gifts and grants,

volunteer days• Local foundation support• Community-based fundraisers• Taxes!

Questions?Nancy Hughes: njhughes@caufc.org

Kelaine Ravdin: kelaine@urban-ecos.comwww.caufc.org/enertrees

Nancy Hughes, Executive Director, CA Urban Forests Council

Kelaine Ravdin, Urban ecology consultant, Urban Ecos