The Bay Village Tree Conservancy educates and encourages community residents to preserve and care for trees, identifies suitable tree-planting sites, advocates for tree-protection policies, and supports partnerships to protect and augment community trees and habitats.
Help our cause by volunteering or donating to the Bay Village Tree Conservancy efforts.
WHAT WE AIM TO DO — Preserve, protect, and restore BV's tree canopy through education, tree assessment programs, tree planting programs.
The Bay Village Tree Conservancy—a citizen-run 501c(3) nonprofit founded and managed by longtime Bay Village residents—advocates for timely and proactive legacy tree assessment and preservation efforts and the prompt replacement of weakening or removed legacy trees on private property. BVTC supports and encourages community-wide efforts to sustain and restore our beautiful and beneficial tree canopy, and educates residents on planting, preserving, and caring for trees.
This is how we ensure future generations can enjoy the same benefits Bay Village’s strong tree canopy has provided for over 200 years.
Learn how to be a tree advocate.
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Preserving our trees with knowledge and attention.
It's all about planting new canopy trees.
Everyone sees the lawn scars left by our lost legacy trees.
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Bay Village’s tree canopy is rapidly diminishing (like many Northeastern Ohio communities), along with its ecosystems and habitat. All Bay Village neighborhoods—east to west—have lost too many trees. Once an abundant resource, our stately legacy trees are now increasingly scarce. Sadly,residents rarely plant new trees to replace removed trees.
The canopy that beautifully shaded our homes for generations now desperately needs our help. Countless sites in Bay that once had towering legacy trees are now shadeless and barren. Bay has lost an estimated 10% of its tree canopy over the last 10 years. On August 6, 2024 alone, tornado damage caused the loss of over 70 canopy trees in just one Bay neighborhood. This loss continues and will accelerate unless Bay residents take action to support solutions.
Why Are Trees So Important?
"Trees are environmental and human-health powerhouses. When planted in the right place and for the right reason, they hold the key to a healthier planet."—Arbor Day Foundation
Trees Do Many Essential Things:
• Absorb carbon dioxide
• Shade and beautify our neighborhoods.
• Reduce UV exposure.
• Increase property values.
• Improve privacy.
• Reduce noise transmission.
• Substantially lower utility bills.
• Improve water retention.
• Reduce erosion.
• Improve air quality.
• Provide habitat for birds, wildlife, and insects.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Canopy Report concludes that Americans have a “profound affinity for trees enriching our lives, our communities, and the planet.”  The report finds:
• 90% of Americans say trees contribute to their mental well-being.
• 87% believe planting trees helps fight climate change.
• 91% believe deforested trees need to be replaced with new plantings.
Loss of the canopy and its unique benefits reduces our quality of life. When healthy legacy trees are cut down, the removal alters and usually diminishes the neighborhood character, charm, and environment.
Normandy Rd. resident
Canterbury Road resident
Saddler Rd. resident
Fortunately, protecting and restoring the canopy is readily achievable with education, resources, community support, and dedication.
Every resident of Bay Village has a stake in preserving our tree canopy. By supporting BVTC and joining our efforts, you'll be part of a dedicated team determined to sustain and preserve our residential forest. Let's plant a tree together.
BVTC's Plant-A-Tree “WIN/WIN SAVINGS PROGRAM” — Our Win/Win Program for Bay Village residents makes planting trees simple and affordable. With this incentive, everyone can be part of restoring Bay’s tree canopy.
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Financial and logistical support from BVTC — If you want to plant a tree on your property, BVTC invites you to participate in the “Win/Win” Program.
When program participants pay BVTC just $327.00 (just part of the average local retail cost of purchasing, delivering, and planting a canopy-scale tree on their property), BVTC will source and deliver appropriate trees and expert planting services at no additional cost—saving the homeowner a substantial amount on  retail tree-planting costs. This program is available to all Bay residents for approved tree varieties, subject to some limitations. Trees to be planted will average 1.75 - 2.0 inch caliper and 8 - 10+ feet tall when planted. Plantings will occur seasonally in groups, so sign up now. Â
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BVTC encourages tree assessments by TRAQ-certified arborists so residents can understand the safety and health of their trees, wisely decide on appropriate tree care, and avoid tree removal. If you need a tree assessment, we'll connect you with recommended experts who can reveal your tree's condition—and help save money by avoiding tree-removal costs. The Win/Win Program may soon extend to tree-assessment costs as well (when BVTC funding permits and sufficient interest exists).
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Here’s how to participate in the Win/Win Program — Simply submit your email request by clicking below. We’ll contact you directly to review Program details and your property’s planting or assessment needs. BVTC carefully examines every opportunity to support restoration of the canopy in Bay. Let’s plant or save a tree together!
*The Win/Win program is subject to and conditioned on available program funding (so do your part and donate today).
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Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6:30PM — Bay Village Police Community Room
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 6:30PM — Bay Village Police Community Room
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, 6:30PM — Bay Village Police Community Room
Each upcoming BVTC forum will present important issues for Bay residents concerning the health, maintenance, and restoration of our tree canopy, and what we as a community can do, and are doing, to correct course. Attendees will have an opportunity to share concerns, questions, and ideas.
We look forward to briefing the community on BVTC activity, committee program developments, accomplishments, and new opportunities for community involvement in canopy restoration projects.
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BVTC Participated in Bay's September 27 Homecoming Parade — Delivering 300 oak tree seedlings to grateful and supportive parade watchers.
Some images of BVTC on parade are below:
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Our annual goal for Bay Village
• Plant 25 – 50 new canopy-scale trees, especially in areas with heavy canopy loss.
• Facilitate 25 – 50 tree assessments in Bay Village to help property owners protect their trees’ health and avoid tree removal.
How will BVTC use the funds you donate?
• Donations in any amount are welcome and appreciated.
• Donors can request that funds donated be dedicated to a particular BVTC program or to pay for the planting, assessment, or treatment of a specific tree in a specific location.
• Donated funds are used to enable BVTC to finance the Win/Win Program tree plantings and assessments.
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Funds donated are used for direct support of tree plantings and tree assessment services, and for educational and advocacy activities. 90% of funds donated go into the community to support property-owner efforts to maintain and restore the canopy. Under 10% of donated funds will finance BVTC’s administration and management. All BVTC’s directors, executive committee members, and committee members volunteer their time and energy to ensure program objectives are attained. The BVTC website is fully secure and conforms to all industry standard protocols to ensure the safety of financial information.
BVTC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Your donation makes all the difference in funding our mission. See what your contribution helps plant!