Three New Cities Join the Forests in Cities Network

We are excited to announce that THREE new cities have joined the Forests in Cities network in 2026! The new cities are Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lafayette, Indiana; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Each team is composed of forestry and natural resources professionals who care for urban forested natural areas. 

What is the Forests in Cities network?

The Natural Areas Conservancy launched the Forests in Cities network in 2019 to champion healthy forested natural areas in cities across America. We do this by advancing urban forest science and practice, advocating for increased resources and support, and nurturing a network of interdisciplinary experts.

The forests in Cities Network, with these additions, now includes 29 cities representing 89 organizations with 130 professionals. We now have 47 local and county government entities, 27 nonprofits, 8 academic institutions, 6 for profit organizations and 2 state governments. 

About the new city teams and their natural areas

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ball Perkins Park (Photo from City of Grand Rapids).

Grand Rapids has over a thousand acres of forested natural areas managed by the Grand Rapids Parks Department. The Grand Rapids team is hopeful that membership in the Forests in Cities network will strengthen their efforts locally. Here are their members: 

• Joe Sulak, Parks Superintendent, Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department
• Melanie Manion, Conservation Manager, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
• Kaya Deerinwater, Co-founder, Giwewat Gteganek (Returning Home Farms)

Lafayette, Indiana

McAllister Park

The City of Lafayette is home to a diverse network of urban forested natural areas that includes riparian woodlands along the Wabash River and Wildcat Creek, mature park woodlands, floodplain forests, and smaller remnant forest patches embedded throughout the urban landscape. The Lafayette team is hoping to expand their knowledge of forest ecology, natural area management, restoration, invasive species control, and long-term stewardship. Here are their members:: 

• Halee Griffey, Climate and Resilience Manger, City of Lafayette
• Kris Brown, Urban Forester, City of Lafayette
• Gene Kroeschen, Executive Director, Tree Lafayette

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mohawk Park (Photo from Visit Tulsa)

Tulsa has tens of thousands of acres of forested natural area embedded in a large urban footprint. As the City of Tulsa looks to manage its natural areas, called thickets, our new Forests in Cities members are hoping to learn more about management planning from the network. Here are their members:

• Yogi Cuenca, Operations Director, Up With Trees
• Elise Howard, Operations Crew Member, Up With Trees
• Jacy Ann Chavis, Operations Crew Member, Up With Trees

Learn more about the Forests in Cities network.