Urban and Community Forestry Events

Arizona Arbor Day

This event is held annually to celebrate trees and the multitude of benefits they provide. It includes a reading of the Arizona Arbor Day proclamation, an awards ceremony for Tree City, Tree Campus, and Tree Line USA, Citizen Forester of the Year, Magnificent 7 Trees, and a commemorative tree planting. Arbor Day traditionally occurs on the last Friday of April. 

Tour des Trees

Tour des Trees is a FREE (self‐guided) Bike, Walk, or Drive friendly event that weaves throughout an annually selected community in Arizona and highlights magnificent trees of various species. Professional Arborists are located at each tree to discuss different tree topics such as, Tree Selection, Proper Tree Planting, Right Tree – Right Place, Proper Watering, Proper Pruning, and the Benefits of Trees.  

Tour des Trees - Fact Sheets

• American Elm
• Arizona Sycamore
• Desert Fern
• Montezuma Cypress
• Weeping Bottlebrush
• Sweet Acacia

Arbor Day Poster Contest  

It's time once again for the Department of Forestry and Fire Management's Annual Poster Contest! 

Each year around Arbor Day, we invite Arizona youth in grades K-12 to participate in our poster contest to highlight the amazing role that trees play in our lives and our communities. The theme for 2021 is, 'Trees Make Me Happy!' This year's contest is intended to highlight how trees help you get through a challenging time.

The global pandemic in 2020 brought challenges and emotions to each of us and we all handle stresses in different ways. This year, we want to know, in what ways did trees and nature help you feel better during these times of uncertainty. Be creative, express yourself through art and share with us some of the things you do in nature any time you feel anxious, sad, even scared, that may bring you joy or comfort. The benefits of trees are endless and we want to highlight how they make you happy through your unique and beautiful artwork. 

This event is now closed. But, stay tuned in early 2022 for information on the 2022 Annual Poster Contest

2020 Winners 

To view the 2021 collection of winning artwork - visit the department's Facebook page. 

K-2nd Grade

1st place - Thea Bunyi, 2nd Grade, Basis Tucson Primary - Tucson 

2nd place - Alis Espinoza, 2nd Grade, Colegio Petite Elementary - Nogales 

3rd place -Jeriah Howell, 2nd Grade, Carillo K-5 Magnet School - Tucson 

3rd-5th Grade

1st place - Saloni Sharma, 4th Grade, Basis Tucson Primary - Tucson 

2nd place - Liam Bains, 3rd Grade, Basis Tucson Primary - Tucson 

3rd place - Saumya Tiwari, 5th Grade, Mary Welty Elementary - Nogales 

6th-8th Grade

1st place - Sarina Ahmed, 6th Grade, Joy of Fine Arts - Chandler

2nd place - Serenity Fraijo, 8th Grade, Twin Peaks K-8 - Tucson 

3rd place - Lian Saucedo Vallejo, Champion Schools - Phoenix 

9th-12th Grade 

1st place - Amaya Peralta, Corona Del Sol High School - Tempe 

2nd place - Mark Chafey, Corona Del Sol High School - Tempe 

3rd place - Diamond Bullard, Kofa High School - Yuma

Grantee Showcase  

The Showcase is an annual opportunity for our Community Challenge Grant recipients to present their Urban and Community Forestry projects, discuss their accomplishments, and network with program partners and collaborators.

Presentations in the past have included, Urban Tree Maintenance Education, Linking Edible Arizona Forests (LEAF) Network, Irrigation Requirements of Landscape Trees, Urban Riparian Forests, and Creating Community-based Green Infrastructure.