Georgia Tree Council, Inc.
Sustaining Georgia's Green Legacy
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The vision of the Georgia Tree Council is that every Georgia community experiences the many benefits of healthy trees and a strong community forestry program. We work to educate communities that, as they plan and grow, they need to plan with trees in mind in their further development. Trees should be "at the table" at the very beginning of any discussion of further growth of a city. Our goal is to continue to grow our membership and program attendance to include anyone who has a stake in keeping trees vital and healthy in their community. We also aim to bring in more corporate, foundation, and individual support so that Georgia Tree Council is soon fully self-sustaining, should our state grant be discontinued in the future.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Quarterly Educational Programs, including statewide Annual Conference
GTC accomplishes its mission through quarterly urban and community forestry educational meetings and workshops. Our signature event, the statewide Annual Conference brings together tree keepers from around the state for educational sessions and networking. All of our programs provide continuing education credits for arborists, foresters, and Georgia-registered landscape architects. Our mission is to sustain Georgias green legacy by partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities in raising awareness toward improving and maintaining Georgias community forests. Our vision is that every Georgia community experiences the many benefits of healthy trees and a strong community forestry program.
Landmark and Historic Tree Register
The primary purpose of GTC’s Landmark and Historic Tree Register is to locate, document and compile a record of significant trees across Georgia. Landmark and Historic Trees are those individual trees and groups of trees that have been designated as significant based on their importance to national, state, or community history. They are frequently recognized for their contribution to the development of landscape architecture, forestry, city planning, and culture. Other key attributes for consideration are event association, aesthetic value, historical significance, and cultural contribution. Trees recognized in this register are divided into two categories: Landmark – those trees that are an integral part of an individual community and its heritage, and Historic – those trees in Georgia that are important to the culture and history of the state or nation. The register will also enhance our ability to educate and encourage the public and decision-makers about the importance of trees and the need to care for and protect them.
Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards
Each year GTC rewards individuals, organizations, businesses, municipalities, and counties for outstanding work in protecting and enhancing our community forests. One Grand Award is given to each of the following categories: Marketing, Streetscape Revitalization, Greenspace Plan, New Development, New Initiative, Business, Media, Civic Organization, Community, Elected/Appointed Official, Education, Individual Achievement, Student, and Urban Arboriculture. Award Recipients are honored at our annual awards luncheon at the statewide annual conferenece.
Georgia ReLeaf
This program makes funding available to municipalities, government agencies, non-profits and educational institutions in Georgia for tree planting and tree-giveaway projects.
The USDA Forest Service, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Community Forestry Assistance Act of the 1990 Farm Bill, has allocated funding to the Georgia Forestry Commission for statewide distribution, in partnership with the Georgia Tree Council.
Therefore, the priority of the Georgia ReLeaf program is DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES as per the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). CEJST is a geospatial mapping tool to identify census tracts that are overburdened by climate change, pollution or other environmental or socioeconomic factors. These communities are considered disadvantaged because they are overburdened and underserved.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Georgia ReLeaf Program are to:
1) Contribute to tree equity in disadvantaged communities.
2) Improve the environment
Campus Tree Conference
This annual program is geared toward treekeepers at colleges, universities, schools, and any type of "campus" such as corporate or botanical garden campuses. Topics addressed are those relevant to treecare and advocacy at a campus. Example topics covered are best practices for communicating with your campus community about projects, tree management plans, planting trees in the right location, establishing an arboretum, and keeping people safe. Often, this educational event teaching basic practices such as tree planting and establishment, pruning, and caring for mature trees.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of conference attendees
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Quarterly Educational Programs, including statewide Annual Conference
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These numbers reflect the number of conference and workshop registrations in 2023. Many registrations are from repeat attendees.
Total number of organization members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We retain approximately 200-plus member contacts each year, including individuals, nonprofits, government, and businesses. Nonprofit, government and business memberships cover numerous individuals.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Goal 1: Membership Growth: The Georgia Tree Council has a vibrant membership across the state.
Goal 2: Financial Growth: The Georgia Tree Council has diversified funding support.
Goal 3: Grow the Organization: The Georgia Tree Council has the staff and board to achieve its mission.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our organization continues to make education, resources, and leadership available so that Georgia communities have the tools to bring the environmental, economic, and social benefits of healthy tree canopies to their citizens.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have set realistic goals for our ourselves, taking into consideration our single staff member and board of directors' time and expertise.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The USDA Forest Service, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Community Forestry Assistance Act of the 1990 Farm Bill, has allocated funding to the Georgia Forestry Commission, which has granted funding to the Georgia Tree Council.
With this funding, the Georgia Tree Council has been hired an Outreach Coordinator, whose main role is to bring urban forestry resources to under-served, under-resourced communities across Georgia, as identified by the Climate and Economic Screening Tool.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Georgia Tree Council, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 01/16/2024
Robert Seammans
Assistant Director of Public Works
Term: 2024 - 2024
Jessica Pollard
Georgia Power Company
Term: 2024 - 2024
Joan Scales
Georgia Forestry Commission, ex officio
Meghan Hemingway
Arborguard Tree Specialists
Holly Campbell
University of Georgia
Seth Hawkins
Georgia Forestry Commission, ex officio
Matt Malament
InterContinental Hotels Group
Matt Carpenter
Bartlett Tree Experts
Lea Clark
Georgia Forestry Commission
Maurice Coley
Georgia Southern University
Sandra DeWitt
City of Milton
Ava Dixon
Columbus State University
Taryn Heidel
City of Atlanta
Jwana Washington
Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful
Ernest Watson
City of Rome
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/21/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.