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Before Helena MT greened their city center, it looked like the picture on the left. On the right is a conceptual rendering of the new city plan.
Before Helena MT greened their city center, it looked like the picture on the left. On the right is a conceptual rendering of the new city plan. The city financed redevelopment through bonds and long-term capital improvement budgets.

Try funding from capital improvement and maintenance accounts

  • Allows planning for a longer time frame as opposed to year-by-year
  • Smooths out variations in annual budgets
  • Recognizes tree canopy for what it is — critical municipal infrastructure

The results can be dramatic

Now Helena’s downtown has been redesigned in a way that helps traffic flow, manages stormwater and supports growing retail businesses. That’s critical infrastructure.

Tree lined street in downtown Helena MT

Can trees pay for themselves?

Already some cities have begun to assess their tree canopies to determine how much carbon it stores so they can sell credits into existing markets. City Forest Credits pioneered these ventures — and other credit systems (including those based on health benefits) are being studied.

City Forest Credits logo
Learn how cities have found ways to help trees pay for themselves. 

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.