Spreading Roots
Community Action
Toolkit
Grow Your Initiative
Eager to put Spreading Roots into action? On this page, you can download the free, informative Spreading Roots Community Action Toolkit Overview as well as a number of valuable communication and outreach tools and resources to help you launch your own local initiatives.
Components and language were informed by the collaborative workshops we held with 50 participants who either come from or have a grassroots affiliation with under-resourced communities within the U.S. and its territories. These attendees brought their unique insights and diverse perspectives concerning seven key demographic groups – Black/African American, Indigenous, Youth, Latine/Latino, Low Income Individuals, and Vulnerable Populations – that are disproportionally impacted by less access to quality trees and green spaces and therefore denied many of the wonderful benefits of nature. Guided by these open discussions and rooted in diverse perspectives, the Spreading Roots Community Action Toolkit Overview and supporting tools and resources were created to help you drive meaningful change within your community.
Spreading Roots Community Action Toolkit Overview
Check out our toolkit overview! Inside you'll find quick snapshots of communication and outreach tools you can use to help jump start your initiatives. You'll also find best practices for putting these tools into action.
Spreading Roots Community Action Toolkit Components
In the below sections, you'll find a number of fully developed communication and outreach materials, as well as templates, you can use to help spring your work into action. All components can be downloaded for your use. But don't feel like you must use these as is - we've provided these components as inspiration and the templates can be customized to your initiatives specific needs!
Tools to Name Your Initiative and Share Your Goals
We’ve crafted several program names, logos, mission statements and more to help you develop the building blocks of your initiative. In this section, you’ll find a quick overview of the components as well as downloadable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint materials for your easy use.
Tools to Educate
Here you’ll find everything from photography and icons, infographics, presentation templates and fact sheets to help you further grow your communications for your important work. In this section, you’ll find a quick overview of the components as well as downloadable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint materials for your easy use.
Tools to Mobilize
Looking for quick ways to generate movement in your work? We’ve developed a number of flyers, social media templates and scripting to help get you started and get you moving on spreading the word for your initiative. In this section, you’ll find a quick overview of the components as well as downloadable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint materials for your easy use.
Resources to Support Action
Here you’ll find a wide array of informative and insightful info sheets that will provide you with deeper dives into a multitude of topics. Everything from the benefits of urban forestry initiatives to working with your local government, these resources will give you a ton of information to support your work. In this section, you’ll find a quick overview of the components as well as downloadable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint materials for your easy use.
Additional Resources
Check out these other helpful resources as you cultivate your urban and community forestry initiatives.
Urban and Community Forestry Apps
Arbor Day Foundation Tree Wizard
Tree finder that recommends best trees for you
Forest Metrix
Aerial tree mapping software used to identify trees
i-Tree
Peer-reviewed, tree benefits estimation science
My City’s Trees
Provides custom analyses and reports of urban forests
TreeKeeper
Urban forestry project management software
USFS Tree Owner’s Manual
Comprehensive guide to basic tree care
Vibrant Cities Lab Tool Library
Suite of digital tools and apps for urban forestry groups
Vibrant Cities Lab Urban Forestry Toolkit
Series of resources to help begin an urban forestry project
Conferences
Casey Trees Urban Tree Summit
Focused on the contributions of diverse areas of study
World Forum on Urban Forests
Support cities towards a greener model of urban development
How-Tos: Community Organizing
Philadelphia Orchard Project’s Community Organizing Toolkit
Guide with best practices for increasing involvement
University of Kansas’ Community Toolbox
Comprehensive database of resources, guides, and tools
National Education Association’s Fundamentals of Organizing Toolkit
Collection of strategies and best practices for organizing
Vibrant Cities Lab’s Community Assessment & Goal-Setting Tool
Tool to help shape initiatives at the start of the planning phase
Planting
Audubon Native Plants Database
Search function for identifying native plants based on area
Other
Policy and Planning Tools for Urban Green Justice
Context around gentrification, displacement, and urban forestry
Networks
EnviroAtlas
Explores the benefits people receive from nature
Forests in Cities Network
Network promoting and advancing healthy forested natural areas
Georgia Tech's Urban Climate Lab
Researchers exploring climate change and the built environment
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Sustainability organization operating in the U.S. and Canada
Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition
Network of organizations advancing urban forestry practices
Treepedia
Uses Google Street View data to measure urban green canopy
Urban Forest Connections
Webinar series with experts on science, practice, and policy
USDA Urban Grower Resources
Financing options, material coordination, marketing, and more
How-Tos: Social Media
HubSpot Social Media Marketing Guide
Social media marketing info and tactics to boost awareness
Canva for Beginners
Free introductory course from Canva
Canva for Nonprofits
Training that focuses on brand development for nonprofits.
California Institute for the Arts’ Fundamentals of Graphic Design
Course that provides an overview of graphic design
Social Movement Technologies’ X for Organizing Webinar
Webinar showing how to use X for organizing and campaigning
X’s Nonprofits Best Practices
Hgh-level guidance on establishing a presence on X
Bloomerang’s Twitter for Nonprofits
Research and insights into when, how, and what to post
TikTok for Good: TikTok Playbook for Non-Profit Organizations
Guidance about how to use the platform for non-profits
Facebook’s Nonprofits Best Practices
Guides on using Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp
Constant Contact’s Facebook for Nonprofits
Guide to Facebook from marketing company Constant Contact
Bloomerang’s Guide to Instagram for Nonprofits
Best practices for how to best engage your audience