TreesLouisville

We are dedicated to planting trees in areas of greatest need, and to raising public awareness of the value of the community forest and Louisville’s tree canopy deficit.

The TreesLouisville team at TreeFest

Give For Good 2024 - Help Us Strengthen our Foundation!

*Why We Need Your Support*

TreesLouisville has seen remarkable growth and transformation in our nine-year history. We've achieved so much: over 20,000 trees planted across Jefferson County, 90 JCPS campuses enhanced with new trees, and partnerships with the KY Transportation Cabinet, Public Works, and Community Forestry to expand our community canopy. And there's much more on the horizon! 

Our growth has led us to expand into a larger space that accommodates our staff and serves as a hub for our initiatives. In May 2023, thanks to our community's generous support, we moved into a new building in the Smoketown neighborhood! Originally built as a physician’s office in 1937 to serve the local community, we have revitalized this historic building and are continuing its legacy as a neighborhood asset. It now stands as a model for sustainable renovation, featuring solar panels in partnership with Solar Over Louisville and energy-efficient appliances donated by GE Appliances.

To further maximize our space, secure our equipment, and strengthen our foundation, we hope to begin construction on a garage by the end of 2024. This garage will house our trucks and equipment and provide additional office space for our growing staff.

Our new space in Smoketown

*Louisville's Tree Canopy*

The 2015 Louisville Urban Tree Canopy Assessment (UTCA) found that between 2004-2012, Louisville lost approximately 54,000 trees, the equivalent to more than twice the area of Cherokee Park, each year. These losses were caused by many factors, including damaging storms, invasive pests, development and old age. TreesLouisville was founded in direct response to these alarming findings, and over the past eight years, we've planted and given away over 20,000 trees throughout Jefferson County, installed hundreds of projects, advocated for robust tree protection measures, and so much more - all in an effort to slow the rapid rate of tree canopy loss our city had experienced. 

A follow-up UTCA commissioned by TreesLouisville in 2021 brought encouraging news: the years subsequent to the 2015 study saw Louisville's tree canopy increase by 1%! Click here to see the Urban Tree Canopy Assessment.

While this number may seem insignificant on its own, it stands as a monumental achievement. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of nonprofits, Louisville Metro, and individuals who have collectively redirected the predicted trajectory of canopy loss. It's proof that our hard work pays off.

Of course, this work is never done: Louisville's canopy still loses nearly as many trees as it gains every year; only through ongoing and concerted efforts can we ensure that we continue toward our goal of 45% canopy cover by 2050 and ensure that current and future generations will be able to experience the vast array of benefits that our community tree canopy provides.

*What We Do*

Over the past nine years, TreesLouisville has been on a mission to enhance our city's community tree canopy by planting and distributing over 20,000 trees across Jefferson County, including projects at over 90 Jefferson County Public School campuses. However, it's not just about the numbers - we're all about making a positive impact where it matters most.

Our focus centers on improving tree canopy cover in low-canopy neighborhoods, especially those situated in west, south and south central Louisville where canopy cover can be as low as 12%, which is a stark contrast to the leafier neighborhoods in east and southeast Louisville, where canopy coverage can average over 40%.

We partner with community groups, organizations, Metro Government and businesses alike to sow the seeds of transformation. Our planting efforts span a wide spectrum - from schools and industrial complexes to highway ramps, busy intersections, residential properties, and even places of worship. You might have already caught sight of some of our more prominent efforts at school campuses or along well-traveled routes like Bardstown Road, Hurstbourne Lane, or the I-64/I-65/I-71 junctions in Downtown Louisville. 

And we're not doing it alone. TreesLouisville relies on the power of volunteers to join us in planting, pruning, mulching, and watering projects throughout the year. These dedicated individuals play a vital role in our journey, helping us to grow and maintain Louisville’s tree canopy and we are thankful for the hours they dedicate every month. 

TreesLouisville is a 501(c)3 dedicated to a more livable and healthy community for Louisville's current and future generations through a robust tree canopy.