Texas Trees Foundation

What Texas Trees Foundation does

Texas Trees Foundation is a Dallas-based 501c3 nonprofit, founded in 1982 and renamed from Dallas Trees and Parks Foundation in 2004, that improves community health through urban forestry programs across North Texas. Its core offerings are organized around five program lines: the Cool Schools Program (a K–12 school greening initiative with TEKS-aligned STEM resources that has completed 20 Dallas ISD campuses across three cohorts since 2016), the Southwestern Medical District (SWMD) Transformation Project (a 2-mile Green Spine plus 8-acre Green Park streetscape redesign along Harry Hines Boulevard, anchored by Parkland Health, UT Southwestern, and Children's Health), the Green Jobs Workforce Program (a 12-week paid training course launched in 2023), the TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm and Education Center (a working nursery on Dallas College's Richland Campus that acts as both volunteer staging site and education destination), and a community tree planting program. Underlying these is a custom-built technology stack: the TreePlotter interactive mapping platform developed in partnership with PlanIt GEO for tree inventory, benefit quantification, and risk analysis, plus the Dallas Tree Equity Planting Map that ranks census block groups by canopy priority.

The foundation monetizes this activity exclusively through donations, charitable contributions, corporate partnerships, and government grants — it does not sell products at list price. Revenue streams documented include individual online donations (via DonorPerfect), multi-year corporate sponsorships (TXU Energy, Vistra, Burns & McDonnell, Amazon, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Energy Transfer), and large government grants, most notably a $25 million State of Texas commitment in 2025 for the SWMD Transformation Project and a $2.5 million Lyda Hill challenge grant met in 2019. The foundation serves five primary customer segments: municipal governments and public entities (with the City of Dallas as core partner following unanimous 2021 adoption of TTF's Urban Forest Master Plan), school districts (Dallas ISD as anchor), healthcare systems, corporate sustainability partners, and community residents engaged through volunteer plantings. Distribution is direct and regional — delivered through volunteer events, school district agreements, municipal project partnerships, and the on-campus Tree Farm — all concentrated within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

Operationally the foundation runs a lean team of 11–50 employees organized into Executive, Planning/Policy/Impact, Cool Schools, Urban Forestry Operations, Strategic Initiatives, Communications & Engagement, and Accounting functions, led by President & CEO Janette Monear, with CFO Beth Edwards and Chief Strategy & Operations Officer Elissa Izmailyan. It is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Dan E. Patterson (Patterson Thoma Family Office) with membership drawn from Crow Holdings, Troutman Pepper Locke, Weitzman, Atmos Energy, Dave & Buster's, and AECOM, reflecting deep ties to North Texas commercial real estate, legal, energy, and infrastructure networks. The organization holds no patents and earns no revenue from licensing or product sales; its IP is concentrated in the TreePlotter mapping configuration and the accumulated 43-year corpus of urban forestry research and planning documents.

Name

Texas Trees Foundation

Legal name

Texas Trees Foundation

Website

https://texastrees.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Texas Trees Foundation is a Dallas-based 501c3 nonprofit that runs urban forestry programs — including the Cool Schools K–12 greening initiative, the Southwestern Medical District streetscape transformation, a green-jobs workforce training program, and community tree plantings — for North Texas municipalities, school districts, healthcare systems, and corporate sustainability partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Forestry Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE), Arborist Consulting, Tree Risk Assessments & Appraisals (HSAIADAJ), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

Keywords

• Urban forestry services
• Tree planting programs
• Community greening initiatives
• Environmental education
• Green jobs training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations through online portal, corporate donations, and major gifts. Tax-deductible 501c3 nonprofit contributions.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and multi-year partnerships with corporations for tree planting initiatives, workforce programs, and event funding.
3. Government Grants and Funding: State of Texas $25M funding commitment for Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project. Federal, state, and local government grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Texas Trees Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers urban forestry programs across North Texas, including tree planting, school greening (Cool Schools Program), urban streetscape and park transformation (SWMD Transformation), workforce training in green jobs, urban forestry consulting, and interactive tree mapping via the TreePlotter platform. Its services are delivered to school districts, municipal governments, healthcare systems, and corporations, funded primarily by donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants.

Product overview

Texas Trees Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of urban forestry programs and services focused on improving community health through trees. The core offerings include the Cool Schools Program (school greening with outdoor learning areas), the SWMD Transformation Project (major streetscape/parks transformation), the Green Jobs Workforce Program (vocational training), and Urban Forestry Consulting services. Supporting infrastructure includes the TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm and Education Center as a nursery and volunteer site, and the TreePlotter mapping platform for tree inventory management. The organization also provides tree planting programs and educational resources aligned with school curricula.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cool Schools Program™: Connects students and teachers to nature by planting trees and creating outdoor experiential learning areas at Dallas ISD schools
• Green Jobs Work Force Program
• SWMD Transformation
• TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm and Education Center
• TreePlotter

Products and services

• Cool Schools Program A school greening initiative that plants trees and creates outdoor experiential learning areas at Dallas ISD schools, featuring TEKS-aligned STEM educational resources and four program tiers (Basic, Plus, Park, and Neighborhood Park). Intended for K-12 school districts seeking to add green outdoor learning environments.
• SWMD Transformation Project A comprehensive urban streetscape and park transformation project along the Harry Hines Corridor in Dallas, including a 2-mile Green Spine and 8-acre Green Park, focused on improving health outcomes through green infrastructure for the Southwestern Medical District.
• TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm and Education Center A tree nursery and volunteer site located on the Dallas College Richland Campus, serving as a staging area for projects, education destination, and host for educational and recreational events. Sponsored by TXU Energy since 2004.
• Green Jobs Workforce Program A 12-week paid training course in urban forestry that prepares young adults for entry-level careers in green jobs, including arboriculture, landscape maintenance, and urban forestry. Delivered in partnership with Workforce Solutions for Greater Dallas.
• Tree Planting Programs Community engagement tree planting initiatives focused on increasing tree canopy coverage in underserved areas of North Texas, with spring and fall planting seasons and volunteer engagement.
• Urban Forestry Consulting Data-driven consulting services offering guidance on urban greening best practices, including tree inventories, GIS mapping, risk assessments, economic benefit assessments, and strategic planning for cities and institutions.
• TreePlotter An interactive online tree mapping tool built by PlanIt GEO that quantifies tree benefits, aids in tree and urban forestry management, and shows potential risks to urban forestry health. Used for public-facing tree inventory and management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tree canopy increase from 32% to 37% by 2040 (Dallas CECAP goal)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• QTS Data CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Multi-year Earth Day partnership to plant 5,000 trees over two years in South Dallas and Irving. Part of QTS's Tree Replacement Program to replant more trees than cleared during data center construction. Supports QTS's net positive environmental impact commitment across four North Texas campuses.
• Vistra CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 202620+ year partnership supporting tree planting across Texas. Funded 100 trees at Dallas College - Eastfield Campus through partnership with Burns & McDonnell. Active supporter of urban forestry and community greening initiatives.
• Burns & McDonnellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Engineering and construction firm partnering with Vistra and Texas Trees Foundation to plant 100 trees at Dallas College - Eastfield Campus. Represents commitment to building sustainable infrastructure and strengthening communities.
• Energy TransfermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2025$100,000 donation in 2025 to support three Dallas-based environmental initiatives. Partnership supporting greening projects across the Dallas area.
• TXU EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2004, TXU Energy has sponsored the TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm and Education Center at Dallas College - Richland Campus. Serves as TTF's tree nursery, volunteer site, and education destination.
• The Trust for Public LandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Cool Schools Neighborhood Parks program, working with Dallas ISD and Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to convert schoolyards into public parks after hours and weekends.
• Dallas ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary school district partner for Cool Schools program. 20 schools completed across three cohorts. District provides selection of schools and administrative support for program implementation.
• Dallas Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Cool Schools Neighborhood Parks program, working with Trust for Public Land to provide public access to school recreational facilities after school hours.
• Studio OutsidemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture firm collaborator on Cool Schools Program, providing design expertise for outdoor learning areas and playground features.
• AmazonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and supporter of Cool Schools program, providing resources for schoolyard greening initiatives.
• KOMPANminorOthersCommercial playground equipment, outdoor fitness, and outdoor furniture supplier with 50+ years experience providing equipment for Cool Schools campuses.
• Mezger StoneminorOthersLocally sourced limestone supplier providing benches and tables for community gathering and outdoor learning spaces on Cool Schools campuses.
• Percussion PlayminorOthersOutdoor musical instrument supplier creating hands-on music making experiences for individuals and families at Cool Schools campuses.
• Workforce Solutions for Greater DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for Green Jobs Workforce Program. All applicants are referred to complete enrollment process. Partner in workforce development and employment services.
• PlanIt GEOcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner that custom built the Texas Trees Foundation TreePlotter map - an interactive online tool for tree inventory, benefit quantification, and urban forestry management.
• MIG, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban planning and community engagement firm executing Phase 1 and Phase 2 Equitable Engagement for the Southwestern Medical District Urban Streetscape and Park Project. Won GOLD award in Community Engagement at APATX.
• Field OperationscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign partner for Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project, collaborating on urban design and landscape architecture for the Green Park and Green Spine.
• Pritchard AssociatesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwner's representative project management firm serving as aligner, helper, and advocate for the SWMD Transformation Project.
• North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional planning organization whose priorities include multimodal transportation, environmental resilience, improved air quality, safety, and equitable regional connectivity. Aligned with SWMD Transformation Project goals.
• City of DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for urban forestry initiatives, including acceptance of Urban Forest Master Plan in 2021. Collaborator on urban heat island mapping and tree planting programs.
• Super Bowl XLV-NFL Environmental ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Super Grow XLV initiative in 2006 and planted over 6,000 trees through NFL Environmental Program partnership.
• Department of the InteriormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal stakeholder engaged in discussions about the SWMD Transformation Project, emphasizing projects demonstrating measurable public impact while strengthening critical infrastructure.
• Department of TransportationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal stakeholder engaged in discussions about the SWMD Transformation Project, reinforcing interest in infrastructure modernization and public safety.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trees Atlanta: Regional urban forestry nonprofit that plants and preserves trees, runs education programs, and conducts tree inventories—mirroring TTF's mission in another U.S. metro.
• Casey Trees: Washington DC-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting the urban tree canopy through planting, education, and mapping tools, closely paralleling TTF.
• TreePeople: Los Angeles urban forestry nonprofit focused on community tree planting, environmental education, and climate resilience, directly comparable to TTF's model.
• Friends of the Urban Forest: San Francisco nonprofit planting and caring for street trees with community volunteers, sharing TTF's community-led urban greening approach.
• Sacramento Tree Foundation: Regional nonprofit expanding urban canopy through planting and stewardship programs, structurally similar to TTF in a different metro.

Regional players

• The Greening of Detroit: Urban forestry and green workforce nonprofit in Detroit; comparable programs (planting, workforce training) but serving a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Arbor Day Foundation: Large national tree-planting and conservation nonprofit with education and reforestation programs; overlapping mission at far greater scale and scope.
• American Forests: National conservation nonprofit that champions tree equity and urban forestry policy/mapping, overlapping with TTF's tree-equity and advocacy work at national scale.
• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit creating parks and green space (and a TTF Cool Schools partner); overlaps in green-space creation but operates broadly across land conservation.

Others

• PlanIt Geo: Urban forestry software vendor that built TTF's TreePlotter platform; an enabling technology provider in the same domain rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj0vhMd2l0U2h9eF9TvP1zw
• Facebookfacebook.com/texastrees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/texas-trees-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/texastreesfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas Trees Foundation