California Urban Forests Council
 
2010-2012 STRATEGIC FOCUS
 

INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this plan is to guide the growth and development of the California Urban Forests Council, a 501C (3) organization.
 
GOVERNANCE:
Governance of CaUFC is by a Board of Directors, comprised of both at-large directors and the elected representatives of seven regional urban forest councils. The Board represents a broad coalition, including urban forestry, landscape architecture, the nursery industry, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties.
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the California Urban Forests Council is to serve and expand the health, viability and condition of California’s urban and community forests. The primary emphasis of CaUFC’s work is on advocacy and education.
 
VISION:
Over the next five years, CaUFC’s vision is to concentrate its energies and resources on advocacy and education at the state, regional and local levels. Because it represents organizations with a shared focus on urban greening in California, and because CaUFC has a regional network that recognizes and responds to local needs, CaUFC is well positioned to advocate for changes in policies, ordinances, and legislation that will increase the level of public investment in urban greening. This vision means that CaUFC will expand the number of organizations that it represents in order to build an effective coalition. This vision means it will focus less than it has in the past on tree-related projects, turning those kinds of projects over to other organizations to implement. This vision means that CaUFC will also broaden and diversify its funding, relying on membership revenues and grants from a broader array of organizations.
 
VALUE PROPOSITION:
The California Urban Forests Council is dedicated to the expansion and perpetuation of sustainable urban and community forests to enhance the quality of life for all who live, work or visit in California.

CUFC maintains a spectrum of programs and initiatives designed to constantly improve air quality, conserve and protect precious water, improve the quality of life and add beauty in California. These initiatives include:
§ Advocacy and support for public policy and government action which supports holistic ecosystems and encourages the development of policies and practices to sustain such systems;
§ The creation of educational materials that offer research, professional expertise and contemporary knowledge to empower California residents to participate actively in urban forestation;
§ Development and support for successful local, regional and state-wide urban forestry programs, projects and organizations.