City of Artesia's Urban Forest Management Plan and Activities 

Since 2019, the City of Artesia has been awarded two separate grants, totaling over $1.5 million, for urban forest planning and expansion efforts in the City. The first project, the Urban Forest Inventory Update and Management Plan Development Project, began in 2019 and includes an update to the City's tree inventory, a new urban forest management plan, and planting 383 trees in parks and public rights-of-way. The second project, the Artesia Urban Forest Expansion Project, was awarded in early 2021 and will include the planting of 325 additional trees in parks and public rights-of-way as well as the free distribution of 675 fruit trees to Artesia residents that qualify under program requirements and request a tree. Check this page regularly for updates on both projects. Learn more below!

Urban Forest Inventory Update and Management Plan Development Project

The Urban Forest Inventory Update and Management Plan Development Project is funded by the voter-approved State of California Proposition 68, the Parks, Environment, and Water Bond of 2018. This funding was awarded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Program.

The Project includes an update to the City's tree inventory, which was completed in January 2020, and development of an Urban Forest Management Plan, which is currently in progress and will guide the City's urban forest planning and decisions over the next 40 years. It also includes the planting of 383 new trees throughout Artesia. These trees and the Project's planning elements will bring public health, pollution reduction, energy savings, and other benefits to the City and preserve these benefits for future generations. Project partners include the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and TreePeople.

In March 2021, the City kicked off tree planting efforts for this project in all 3 City parks. 20 trees were planted at Artesia Park, 5 trees were planted at AJ Padelford Park, and 1 tree was planted at Baber Park. Parkway trees have been planted throughout the City since May of 2021, and planting will continue into 2022. The trees planted were from a wide variety of species approved by CAL FIRE and picked because of their low water use, climate adaptability, and suitable size for their location. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), one of the City’s main partners on these projects, planted the trees with supervision from City staff.

Before planting trees, the LACC conducts outreach throughout the City to provide information to residents about tree planting and to find residents that are interested in having a tree planted in the parkway in front of their house. Residents in targeted areas will receive a brochure from the LACC and an invitation to a virtual event to learn about the tree planting project and its benefits.

Urban Forest Management Plan
Davey Resource Group, the company creating the City’s urban forest management plan, will also be conducting outreach soon to expand awareness of the benefits of trees and getting input from the community on the plan they are developing. The City appreciates all the input residents have to offer as part of the process. If you are interested in having a tree planted in front of your property, you can also email askartesia@cityofartesia.us with your name, address, and contact information and we will make sure to keep you in mind if trees remain available. To keep updated on this project, visit this page periodically, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @OfficialCityofArtesia.

LINK TO VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/H4rvr03d4fE

Community Survey

We want to hear from you! The City of Artesia is developing a new Urban Forest Management Plan through a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Get involved by filling out the community survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Artesia_UFMP.

Art Contest



Artesia Urban Forest Expansion Project
This recently approved project will include the planting of 325 additional trees in parks and public rights-of-way as well as the free distribution of 675 fruit trees to Artesia residents that qualify under program requirements and request a tree. Distribution of fruit trees will be organized in the coming months and will be first offered to residents in areas with low tree canopy coverage and where planting trees in public areas is difficult before expanding to more areas. Keep updated on this project by checking this page and following us on Facebook and Instagram @OfficialCityofArtesia.


Why Trees Are So Important
Tree planting is one of the few direct actions the City can take to reduce pollution. Trees also reduce energy costs, moderate temperatures along City streets, and provide numerous health benefits. Artesia’s tree canopy coverage is low compared to surrounding cities and nearly 40% of tree planting locations in the City are currently empty. Together these projects will provide over 700 trees for parks and public rights-of-way and 675 fruit trees for distribution to qualifying and interested residents. This will lead to a significant expansion of the City's tree canopy, bringing all the benefits of trees to more Artesia residents in more neighborhoods.

Questions About These Projects?
Contact Jeremy Bates, Management Analyst at jbates@cityofartesia.us or at (562) 865-6262, ext. 245.