The Roots of Greenscape
   
In 1975, joined by their desire to improve the Jacksonville landscape, a small group of citizens began the not-for-profit organization, Greenscape of Jacksonville, Inc. The first project focused on the downtown area. Collaborating with the City of Jacksonville through the Jacksonville Downtown Development Authority, Greenscape planted 250 commemorative trees along downtown sidewalks. Gradually the organization directed its focus outward from the city center, sharing responsibility for tree planting with interested neighborhood and community groups.
   
Today Greenscape is credited with placing over 150,000 trees in Jacksonville. As a result of successful grant writing for FDOT Highway Beautification Programs, over $1 million in state funding has been awarded for Jacksonville projects through Greenscape.
   
Greenscape projects now dot the entire Jacksonville area, touching the lives of our residents and visitors and making our city a more environmentally desirable place to live. Greenscape continues to further awareness of the importance of our tree canopy to the health and economic well being of our community.
  
Our Mission
   
Greenscape's mission is to enrich our community through the planting, protection, and promotion of trees. That mission is fulfilled by volunteer plantings ranging in scope from small neighborhood parks to schoolyards to roadways and other public areas.
  
Our Vision
   
The vision of Greenscape is to improve the tree canopy of our city. The American Forestry Association recommends that an urban neighborhood have a tree cover of roughly 25% and a suburb, with more space for planting, should be closer to 50%. Metro-wide, a reasonable goal is 40%. The benefits of an adequate and healthy tree canopy will include decreased storm water runoff, decreased air conditioning costs, improved health as trees act as a natural purification system and of course, the aesthetic appeal of a green environment for our citizens and wildlife.