What Programs Does Casey Trees Offer?

Updated

Casey Trees runs five core program areas — Plant, Educate, Advocate, Conserve, and Care — all aimed at one goal: reaching 40% tree canopy in Washington, DC by 2032. The organization has planted more than 60,000 trees since 2001, when the city's canopy covered just 35%. If you live, work, or own property in the national capital region, at least one of these programs likely applies to you.

Plant

Casey Trees provides tree planting solutions for local homes, schools, parks, businesses, and other sites. The program is designed to deliver the greatest possible environmental and ecological impact, and the organization works with certified arborists to support the health, growth, and longevity of every tree planted.

Who it's for: Property owners, schools, businesses, and community groups in DC that want trees planted on their site.

How to start: The website offers a "Plant Trees" entry point under Get Involved, plus a separate nomination form for suggesting spaces in DC that could use more trees — schools, houses of worship, apartment complexes, businesses, and more.

Educate

The Educate program focuses on children. Through school programs, tree-planting events, and outdoor exploration, Casey Trees aims to build kids' understanding of what trees do for the city and inspire the next generation of "tree guardians."

Who it's for: Schools and youth groups in the DC area looking for hands-on environmental programming.

Advocate

For over 20 years, Casey Trees has pushed policies that support, protect, and expand Washington, DC's urban forest. The organization states these efforts have produced some of the strongest tree protections among major U.S. cities — while noting the work is ongoing.

Who it's for: Residents who want to support tree-protection policy rather than plant or volunteer directly. The site lists "Advocate" as a Get Involved option.

Conserve

The Land Conservation program protects green spaces for both nature and people. Its work includes restoring fragmented forests, improving ecosystems, and creating places where people can connect with nature, done in partnership with landowners.

Who it's for: Landowners and anyone interested in preserving larger natural areas rather than individual street or yard trees.

Care

Casey Trees also covers tree care — the maintenance side of keeping planted trees alive and healthy. The site's program description is cut off at "Proper tree," so the full scope of care services isn't detailed on the homepage; check the Care program page for specifics.

Get Involved Beyond Programs

The homepage lists several direct ways to participate:

  • Plant Trees — join or request planting efforts
  • Advocate — support pro-tree policy
  • Volunteer — contribute time
  • Join Our Team — employment or staff roles
  • Nominate a Space — suggest a DC location for new trees

Quick Comparison

Program Primary Focus Best Fit For
Plant Installing trees on sites Property owners, schools, businesses
Educate Youth environmental learning Schools, youth groups
Advocate Urban forest policy Policy-minded residents
Conserve Land and ecosystem protection Landowners, conservation interests
Care Tree maintenance Anyone with planted trees

What to Check Before You Act

The homepage does not list pricing, eligibility restrictions, or service-area boundaries beyond "the national capital region." If you want to request planting, nominate a site, or volunteer, start with the corresponding Get Involved link and confirm current requirements there — program details and application steps can change.