🌳 Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience (UTRR)

A Program of Wildfire Resilient Landscapes

Southern California’s urban forests are shrinking due to drought, wildfires, and aging infrastructure. The Urban Tree Renewal for Resilience (UTRR) program tackles this challenge by removing hazardous tree stumps and replanting climate-adapted, fire-smart native trees in parks, parkways, and public spaces.

To restore healthy, resilient tree canopy across Southern California by:

• Removing decaying or unsafe tree stumps 
• Replanting native, drought-tolerant, and fire-resilient trees
• Engaging communities in climate-smart urban forestry
• Supporting biodiversity and shade equity in underserved neighborhoods
   

Our process includes:

1. Site Assessments
   Certified arborists and our team assess areas needing stump removal and identify ideal planting zones.
    
2. Stump Removal
   We partner with licensed contractors or city crews to safely remove stumps and prepare the soil.
    
3. Tree Selection & Planting
   We choose native tree species that thrive in our region, offering long-term ecological and fire resilience.
    
4. Community Planting Days
   Local volunteers, youth, and residents are invited to join planting events and learn tree care basics.
    
5. Maintenance & Monitoring
   For 2–3 years, we ensure young trees are watered, mulched, and monitored for healthy growth.
    

We select trees that are beautiful and adapted to California’s climate — but also fire-resilient, pollinator-friendly, and long-living. Some of our favorites include:

• Coast Live Oak 
• California Sycamore 
• Western Redbud 
• Toyon 
• Desert Willow 
• Tecate Cypress
   

We’re starting in Los Angeles County, with priority given to:

• Communities in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zones
• Public schools, parks, and neighborhood parkways
• Sites affected by tree loss due to fire, disease, or removal.
   

Program wish list 

• Arborist Assessments (50 sites)
• Stump Removal 
• Native Tree Purchase (15-gallon)
• Soil, Mulch, & Tree Supplies
• Labor & Planting Support
• Maintenance (Watering & Monitoring)
• Program Coordinator (Part-Time)

Are you a city official, school administrator, local business owner, or resident who wants to support tree renewal in your neighborhood?

We welcome:

• Sponsorships & Donations 
• Volunteer Planting Teams
• In-kind equipment or Nursery Support 
• Internship & Workforce Development Partners

 To support the program (possible fundraisers coming soon)

A collaboration between WRL & Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery

Help us restore California’s fire-damaged landscapes — one baby oak at a time.

What it is:
Native Coast Live Oak and Valley Oak saplings grown by Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery (WRN) are now available for public sponsorship or purchase. All proceeds benefit WRL’s Stumps to Forests replanting campaign.

Choose how to support:

• 🌿 Plant Your Own – Take home a baby oak with a planting guide and a care card. 
• 🫶 Sponsor One for a Public Site – Your tree will be planted as part of a WRL restoration project, and you’ll receive a digital certificate and update photo.
   

Why Oaks? Native oaks support hundreds of species, hold soil in place, and help rebuild fire-resilient ecosystems. They’re slow-growing but vital for long-term landscape recovery.

All saplings are grown locally by WRN using regionally sourced acorns.

A beautifully packaged native oak sapling + printed materials to inspire action.

Each Kit Includes:

• 1 healthy Coast Live Oak or Valley Oak sapling (sourced from WRN)
• 📘 Mini Booklet: “From Stumps to Saplings: Restoring California’s Native Forests”
  • Info on oak ecology and fire-adaptive traits 
  • Planting & care instructions 
  • Ways to get involved with WRL 
• 🌱 “I Planted a Tree for Wildfire Resilience” keepsake card
• 🔗 QR code to register your sapling & share your planting story 

Packaging:

• Ships in a Plants In A Box Single Tall Box
• Compostable filler (shredded kraft or coconut fiber) 
• Option to add a personal dedication or gift message 

Optional Add-ons:

• Bundle with “Seed the Change” kits 
• School or scout troop discounts for bulk educational kits