Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Trees

EarthWorks is a non-profit organization working to create a healthier and more sustainable environment in Greater Boston. Their August newsletter relates the following inspiring news. We note the critical importance of private citizens and organizations working together with government:

Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Canopy Trees

…Throughout Boston, canopy trees help to shade cars, pavement, buildings, and residents…

Mayor Menino announced Boston’s Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Goal during this year’s Arbor Day celebration at Geneva Cliffs in Dorchester, giving many residents hope for a greener Boston. Over the next 14 years, EarthWorks and other members of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition aim to plant 100,000 trees in a new effort called “Grow Boston Greener…”

Achieving this goal would increase canopy tree coverage in Boston from 29% to 35%…

Most urban canopy trees are deciduous and reach at least 20 feet at maturity. They clean the air, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, reduce flooding and soil erosion, beautify neighborhoods, and afford a calm spot to residents…

The City promises to plant 12% of the 100,000 goal… The DCR is also on board to plant 3,000 trees over the coming 14 years. This leaves a large number of trees to be planted by residents, businesses and nonprofits like EarthWorks.

There is enormous potential for planting new trees on private property. Trees typically live longer in yards than they do in the harsh soil conditions of salty and compacted street pits, while still providing many of the same public benefits as street trees.

See also:

Daryl LaFleur: North Street Area and Urban Ecology
Constructing homes in the downtown area near existing services, infrastructure and public transit makes sense. However, the Urban Land Institute’s report on Springfield [PDF] suggests removing decaying buildings and creating more green spaces in Springfield’s downtown area as a way to enhance that city’s quality of life and lure people back to downtown. Springfield would like to create, on a larger scale, what Northampton currently has and one need only walk around downtown Springfield and observe the lack of urban green patches to understand why. Similarly, despite all of its problems, the Big Dig in Boston aims to add parkland and green recreational areas in an urban environment for the same reason, to improve the quality of life for inhabitants and give business owners a reason to stay put.

Gazette: “Trees add to city’s appearance, well-being”

Downstreet.net: “Despite Tree City USA Honor Northampton Planting Lags”

Photo Essay: The Forest Behind View Avenue

NSNA Circulates Northampton Trees & Wetlands Petition

Text of Springfield’s Ordinance to Protect “Significant Trees”