A strong UCF Program will have an urban natural resource management plan that guides the management of one of more urban natural resource at the community or watershed level. The plan must be based on some systematic / professional assessment of the resource(s). Plans that focus on or significantly include the "urban forest" (including street trees, parks and forested lands) will be preferred.
The DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program and the USDA Forest Service have developed standards to help build and build upon a strong community tree program. The USDA Forest Service monitors each state's performance based on how many communities are meeting these standards. Federal funding supporting community tree programs increases as more communities achieve these standards.
An excellent urban and community forestry program uses coordinated community resources to efficiently and effectively grow, protect and manage community trees in a way that maximizes the social, economic, and environmental benefits that the urban and community forest provides to all residents.
Below are the National Performance Standards for a Strong Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program.