The administration of Gov. Maura Healey recently announced the state is devoting nearly $700,000 to expand and care for tree canopy in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts including the Twin Cities of Fitchburg and Leominster.
Four municipalities and three nonprofit organizations will receive $504,900 through the GGC Implementation Grant Program to support tree planting and maintenance, removal of impervious surfaces and the creation of new green spaces in seven Gateway Cities.
An additional six nonprofit organizations will receive $189,000 through the GGC Partnership Grant Program to work directly with residents and business owners to identify locations for free trees and support long-term tree stewardship.
GGC Partnership Grant awardees include Growing Places, which was given $41,635 to conduct outreach, promote tree stewardship, and generate community awareness of the GGCP in Fitchburg and Leominster.
Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust also received a good chunk of money, $27,622 to conduct community outreach to raise awareness of GGC tree planting in Lowell and offer training and educational programs.
Department of Conservation and Recreation Urban Forester Larissa Parse reported that in addition to their yearly budget, “the Healey-Driscoll administration awarded money to Growing Places and other organizations to support the DCR’s tree planting.”
“I look forward to working with Growing Places for the 10th year to promote Greening the Gateway Cities program and teach people how to care for trees,” Parse expressed. “Fitchburg and Leominster need additional trees planted to reduce the urban heat island, help with stormwater management, and increase all the health benefits trees provide.”
She said trees can be planted on private, commercial, and public neighborhoods “that have lower tree canopy, older housing, and higher rental populations,” and that they will be planting “a lot more trees in Fitchburg” and the region this fall.
According to an Aug. 28 press release, the funding is being awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Greening the Gateway Cities Implementation and Partnership Grant Programs.
To find out if you’re eligible visit mass.gov/info-details/greening-the-gateway-cities.
The press release went on to say the funding will support projects that plant and maintain trees, remove pavement and other impervious surfaces, create a new micro forest in areas, and work directly with residents to care for trees in their neighborhoods.
“More trees mean more shade, cooler homes and less energy needed for air conditioning, which can help lower energy bills during the hottest months of the year,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper stated in the release. “Trees also help absorb stormwater, improve air quality and make our neighborhoods healthier and more comfortable places to live. These grants will help bring those benefits to more communities across Massachusetts.”
The GGC program is a partnership between EEA, the DCR’s Urban & Community Forestry Program, Gateway Cities and local community organizations. The program focuses on expanding tree canopy in burdened neighborhoods where additional trees can provide shade and help reduce the urban heat island effect and through the program, DCR works with residents and business owners to plant free trees and ensure newly planted trees receive the care they need to grow and thrive.
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