Urban Tree Canopy

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Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) is a measurement of the layer of branches and leaves that shelter the ground when viewed from above. UTC is measured as a percent (%) of the whole city's land area. The City of South Bend is committed to increasing urban tree canopy from its current average (~22%) to 40%, which will require planting ~100,000 trees -- approximately one tree for every person in the City of South Bend.

4 people planting a tree together. One person is watering.Tree planting on the Near West Side Greenway (2024).
A person planting a tree while school children gather around to participate.Tree planting at Harrison Elementary School (2025).
6 people who just planted a tree posing together.

Tree planting at LangLab (2025).



Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) is a measurement of the layer of branches and leaves that shelter the ground when viewed from above. UTC is measured as a percent (%) of the whole city's land area. The City of South Bend is committed to increasing urban tree canopy from its current average (~22%) to 40%, which will require planting ~100,000 trees -- approximately one tree for every person in the City of South Bend.

4 people planting a tree together. One person is watering.Tree planting on the Near West Side Greenway (2024).
A person planting a tree while school children gather around to participate.Tree planting at Harrison Elementary School (2025).
6 people who just planted a tree posing together.

Tree planting at LangLab (2025).



  • Neighborhood Tree Ambassadors - Application

    Neighborhood Tree Ambassadors will act as local connectors to South Bend residents. You will commit to attending a half-day training, surveying your neighbors, and hosting a fall tree giveaway in your neighborhood. Total time expectation is ~15 hours between July - November, 2026. You will be compensated with a $300 stipend provided through Indiana University's Urban Green Infrastructure Cohort. We will accept 5 Neighborhood Tree Ambassadors through this program. Apply today! Applications will close July 24th.


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Page last updated: 29 Jun 2026, 02:10 PM