Sarasota brings biodiversity with canopy program
The city of Sarasota, Fla., has developed a program for local homeowners to participate in to plant and maintain various species of canopy trees to create further opportunities for more biodiversity, better city walkability and to reduce overall pollutants in the area.
The city of Sarasota, well-known for its stunning beaches and vibrant arts scene, is also making strides in environmental sustainability in recent years. Speaking about this initiative, called the Neighborhood Canopy Program, is Donald Ullom, a senior arborist for the city of Sarasota. Since 2021, Ullom’s team has been at the forefront of the ambitious tree-planting initiative that aims to enhance urban biodiversity, improve public spaces and create a healthier environment for all.
Launched in 2021, the program has been a growing success over its three-year span. “We’ve generally limited the program to about 100 properties per year,” Ullom noted.
Homeowners participate by providing a $100 deposit, after which the resident selects a tree species from a predetermined list. Each tree is planted professionally and equipped with a water bed to ensure it gets off to a strong start before the homeowner takes over its care for the remainder of its life.
The roots of this program dig deep into Sarasota’s environmental goals. Ullom explained that the idea sprouted from a previous national program that offered one-gallon trees to any interested residents. However, the need for a more impactful approach became quickly apparent. At one point, Ullom said, “We had a program where our other arborists suggested using our tree mitigation funds to plant larger trees in front of people’s homes.” He also recalled, “We developed the outlines of a more robust program, one that would offer bigger trees, more suited to providing immediate benefits to our specific community.”
The program’s objectives are currently twofold. From the city’s perspective, the goal is to increase biodiversity in Sarasota’s residential neighborhoods. Ullom emphasized, “We wanted to plant a variety of species, not just the same trees that you see everywhere.” For residents, the benefit lies in receiving larger, more established trees that can provide shade, beauty and environmental benefits more quickly than smaller saplings.
The initiative also has a positive effect on local wildlife. By introducing a variety of tree species, the program provides new habitats and food sources for native wildlife. “We’re looking to increase the biodiversity and species down here,” Ullom stated, noting that the new trees offer nesting opportunities and other benefits for local fauna. With a wide range of migratory bird species in the area throughout the year, this was an important factor for the city’s environmental team.
Funding for the program is currently sourced from the city’s fines and mitigation fees, making it sustainable at its current rate. However, Ullom noted that selecting the right vendors is crucial to keep this program viable.
“We spend time shopping around to different vendors, looking at reliability, Florida grade-one standards and where they’re sourcing the trees from,” he explained.
While the city wants to introduce new species of trees each year, it makes sure it is obtaining these trees sustainably for both the environmental and monetary perspectives. After a short period of review and deliberation, this year’s tree selections for the spring included magnolia, bald cypress, southern red cedar, holly and pink Tabebuia. And for the upcoming fall, residents could obtain the following species: live oak, green buttonwood, royal poinciana, ligustrum or orange geiger.
The program’s budget of approximately $50,000 has allowed the planting of over 100 trees each year, with a new vendor, Mast Landscape Management, taking the reins this year. Despite a slight dip in participation toward the end of the fall session, Ullom remains optimistic about the program’s impact.
“We’ve planted close to 300 trees since we started, and this is a net positive,” he said. “It increases biodiversity, improves the city’s walkability and reduces pollutants.”
With the success of the program in the city of Sarasota, there’s interest in expanding the initiative to other cities. Currently, this program is only available to the residents of the city of Sarasota, which does not include the whole county at this time. While there’s potential for a state-wide initiative, it would require the county of Sarasota to develop this program further to bring it to more residents in the area.
Ullom advised other places that are interested in developing a program similar to the Neighborhood Canopy Program to clearly define their goals from the outset, to ensure the best possible program outcomes.
“If others want to do this, they should define the goals early on,” he said, emphasizing the importance of placing trees in areas where they will have the most impact.
As the city of Sarasota’s tree-planting program continues to grow, it stands as a model for other cities aiming to improve urban biodiversity and environmental health. With dedicated leadership and community support, the city is well on its way to becoming even greener, one tree at a time.
Homeowners smile alongside the trees they’ve received through the Neighborhood Canopy Program. Participating homeowners provide $100 deposits, after which they select a tree species from a predetermined list. (Photo provided by Sarasota, Fla.) 
Homeowners smile alongside the trees they’ve received through the Neighborhood Canopy Program. Participating homeowners provide $100 deposits, after which they select a tree species from a predetermined list. (Photo provided by Sarasota, Fla.) Homeowners smile alongside the trees they’ve received through the Neighborhood Canopy Program. Participating homeowners provide $100 deposits, after which they select a tree species from a predetermined list. (Photo provided by Sarasota, Fla.) 
Homeowners smile alongside the trees they’ve received through the Neighborhood Canopy Program. Participating homeowners provide $100 deposits, after which they select a tree species from a predetermined list. (Photo provided by Sarasota, Fla.) Sarasota, Fla.’s, Neighborhood Canopy Program brings homeowners on board to secure biodiversity in its canopy. (Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock.com)
