The goal of the Tree Advantage Project is to increase the tree canopy in selected disadvantaged communities in a way that will increase the trees’ long-term survival rate and provide numerous ongoing human and environmental benefits. A disadvantaged community is defined by the CalEnviroScreen 2.0 tool as being 75% or more on that scale. We will create community forests by planting 1,200 trees along with compatible understory in 10-15% of those areas. Approximately 300 trees will be planted in San Diego and 900 trees in Chula Vista.​

Specific deliverables include adding trees in public spaces in disadvantaged communities (selected, planted, and maintained for 2-3 years, along with watering and pruning) and providing successful approaches to tree selection, planting, and maintenance that will increase the long-term survivability of trees in disadvantaged communities. Also provided are water-wise plant palette materials that address how appropriate understory species improve tree survivability.

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Urban Corps will provide services including tree and understory acquisition, planting, monitoring, maintenance, and selected watering. In the City of San Diego, One San Diego will provide their close connection with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer to ensure that the city’s staff will provide the requisite support, connect Tree San Diego to the best local community organizations so they can work together to create tree stewardship; arrange public planting and maintenance events involving the Mayor, City Council members, and other notable figures to generate widespread positive public recognition for these new sections of urban forest.