Resource Library

The VCL Resource Library contains an expertly curated selection of research papers, guides, ordinances, and other resources to help you make the case for urban forestry and make it happen in your community.

Featured Case Studies

  • Case Studies

Beating the Heat
  • Case Studies

How Perception of Green Infrastructure by Municipal Officials Affects Adoption and Implementation
  • Case Studies

Drought Resistance in Santa Monica Park
  • Case Studies

Drivers of Tree Canopy Loss in a Mid-Sized Growing City: Case Study in Portland, OR
All case studies

Featured Research

  • Research, Resources

Extreme Weather and Transportation Equity
  • Research, Resources

Shadow Surveys: How Non-Target Identifications and Citizen Outreach Enhance Exotic Pest Detection
  • Research, Resources

Age Matters
  • Research, Resources

Invasives species contacts and resources
  • Research

Developer Perspectives on Incentives to Save Trees
  • Research

Why Opt-in to a Planting Program? Long-term Residents Value Street Tree Aesthetics
  • Research

Centering Community Perspectives to Advance Recognitional Justice for Sustainable Cities: Lessons from Urban Forest Practice
  • Research

The Disparity in Tree Cover and Ecosystem Service Values Among Redlining Classes in the United States
All research

Featured Tools

  • Tools

Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
  • Tools

Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026)
  • Resources, Tools

Conversation Starters
  • Resources, Tools

Assess your ordinances and policies
  • Resources, Tools

Enforceable ordinances
  • Resources, Tools

Municipal policies that affect your urban forest
  • Resources, Tools

Common ordinance provisions
  • Forest Health Action Guide, Tools

State forest health programs
All tools

Featured Guides

  • Guides

Cool Corridors Action Guide
  • Guides

Tree Equity Funding Action Guide
All guides

Featured Organizations

  • Organizations

Sustainable Forestry Initiative
  • Organizations

State Urban and Community Forestry Coordinators
  • Organizations

Urban Wood Network
  • Organizations

National Drought Information Center
  • Organizations

Alliance for Community Trees
  • Organizations

National Association of State Foresters
  • Organizations

Utility Arborist Association
  • Organizations

Urban and Community Forestry Society
All organizations
All resources 

Vibrant Cities Lab has a new look, new resources and new ways to get involved in greening your city. We’re introducing several new digital resources including a Cool Corridors Guide, Urban Forestry Roadmap and Forest Health information that will help urban foresters and related professionals build thriving programs for their communities. 

On December 31, 2025, old.vibrantcitieslab.com (note the new URL) will close. Make sure you download any resources or action guides you don’t want to miss.

Get involved with us by sending your feedback on the new website or sharing your best urban forestry success stories with us at info@vibrantcitieslab.org.