The NeighborWoods program is a partnering between the City, the Springfield Tree City USA Citizens Advisory Committee and recognized neighborhood groups or other non-profit groups for the purpose of enhancing Springfield's community forest. City funds are to be used for purchasing tax-exempt trees from area nurseries through an established City contract and then neighborhood volunteers will plant the trees.

This approach relies on the citizen to provide care for the tree in the first three years to ensure better survivability of the tree. The tree permit acts as coordination tool between citizens and the City, and as a commitment to achieve the ultimate goal of having a healthy tree in place for the benefit of the entire community.

Annual Calendar

• Initial Application Request Due - First weekday in June
• Preliminary Proposal Due - First weekday in July
• Application Workshop - Held during 2nd week of July
• Final Proposal Due - First weekday in August
• Proposal Evaluations - Held during Tree City USA Citizens' Advisory Committee August meeting
• Project Approval Notification - During first week of September
• Project Details Due (e.g. final tree permits, proposed planting dates, etc.) - First weekday in October
• Projects completed - By beginning of May