Below are links for City of San Diego departments and other local organizations and agencies involved with trees.

City of San Diego

Departments

• Sustainability and Mobility – One of the goals of the Sustainability and Mobility Department is to prepare San Diego to be climate resilient by increasing the urban forest with more street trees and new parks.
• Parks and Recreation – The Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 40,000 acres of developed and undeveloped open space, more than 340 parks and more than 26 miles of shoreline.
• City Planning – Through its Park Planning section, the City Planning Department reviews projects to ensure adherence to General Plan standards for population-based parks and impacts on the City open space park system. It also manages updates and amendments to existing park master plans and prepares community plan recreation elements. In addition, master tree planting plans are an integral part of individual community plans.
• Public Utilities – The Public Utilities Department’s Water Conservation Division offers a variety of programs to assist property owners keep their trees and other landscaping green while conserving water and saving money.
• Transportation – The Transportation Department’s Right of Way Management Division maintains our street trees through the Urban Forestry Program.

Planning

• Urban Forestry Program, Five-Year Plan – Adopted in 2017, the long-range plan brings together existing policies and guidelines, best urban forestry management practices, and community planning.
• Climate Action Plan – To prepare San Diego to be more climate-resilient, the City is increasing its urban forest with more street trees and new parks.
• Park Planning – This section of the City Planning Department reviews park projects to ensure adherence to General Plan standards for population-based parks, as well as impacts to the City open space park system. This section also manages updates and amendments to existing park master plans and prepares recreation elements for community plans. The Parks and Recreation Board advises the Mayor and City Council on public policy matters relating to the acquisition, development, maintenance and operation of parks, beaches, playgrounds and recreational activities.

Council Policies

• Public Tree Protection (Council Policy 900-19) – This policy provides protection to designated trees located in public rights-of-way, on City-owned open space, in parks or other publicly owned lands, wherever practical.

Municipal Code

• Community Forest Advisory Board (MC 26.0501 – 26.0503) – The Community Forest Advisory Board advises the Mayor on all policy issues relating to urban forestry.
• Street Planting (MC 62.0600) – This policy establishes rules and regulations to control and protect planting on City streets.
• Landscape Regulations (MC 142.0400) – The purpose of these regulations is to minimize the erosion of slopes and disturbed lands, to conserve energy and water, to reduce the risk of fire, and to improve the appearance of the built environment.

Other Groups

• Arbor Day Foundation – San Diego is one of the foundation’s designated Tree City USA communities.
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) – CalFire’s Urban and Community Forestry Program works to expand and improve the management of trees and related vegetation in communities throughout California.
• California ReLeaf – The organization promotes alliances among community-based groups, individuals and industry and government agencies, encouraging each to contribute to the livability of cities and protection of our environment by planting and caring for trees.
• San Diego Regional Urban Forest Council – The council is a member-driven coalition of agencies, businesses and educators working to improve local urban forest assets.
• San Diego Water Conservation Garden – The City of San Diego is one of several partners that support the organization, which educates and inspires through excellent exhibits and programs that promote water conservation and the sustainable use of related natural resources.
• Tree San Diego – The organization works to benefit the San Diego region to make it a healthier place to live, work and play.