- Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Division of Conservation Services
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Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager
Boston — The Healey-Driscoll administration today announced nearly $632,000 in grants from the Cooling Corridors program, which focuses on planting trees within identified hotspots, along popular walking routes and in Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods across Massachusetts. Managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Division of Conservation Services, the funding will support projects in eight municipalities proposed by four communities and four non-profit organizations. The goal is to increase tree canopy and lessen the health impacts of extreme heat, while creating cooler, safer spaces for residents.
The Cooling Corridors program prioritizes planting trees within identified hotspots, EJ neighborhoods and along walking routes that connect residents to community resources such as schools, transit stops, healthcare providers, and senior centers. This initiative is also a core piece of Governor Healey’s recently proposed Mass Ready Act, which includes $30 million to further invest in forestry and tree planting across communities.
“Each tree planted is an investment in the health and safety of our communities,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Cooling Corridors Program offers municipalities and non-profits an opportunity to transform their neighborhoods into enjoyable cooling spaces that can be appreciated for generations to come.”
The Cooling Corridors grant program aims to create cooler and more enjoyable spaces for walking and gathering by planting trees that offer shade. In neighborhoods that experience high summer temperatures, establishing tree cover, including small groups of trees known as micro-forests, can significantly help reduce heat-related health issues, particularly in EJ populations that are often more vulnerable to extreme heat. In high-density urban areas, just five trees planted per acre can benefit 15 to 25 households.
The projects awarded will ensure that appropriate tree species are planted, while also maximizing the potential for increased shade. Additionally, projects include a comprehensive tree watering plan, to improve tree health and increase survival rates. Proposed projects will also implement additional cooling measures, such as impervious surface removal and painting dark surfaces light colors, to enhance the cooling benefit of trees. Expected outcomes of this program include capturing stormwater run-off, filtering harmful air pollutants, creating additional wildlife habitat and increasing tree biodiversity.
The following grantees were awarded funding through EEA’s Cooling Corridors Grant Program:
| Applicant | Project Description | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Biomimicry New England (Gloucester) | Biomimicry New England, in collaboration with the City of Gloucester, will plant and maintain 50 trees within EJ neighborhoods and identified hotspots, along commonly used walking routes and in residential areas. | $97,091 |
| Town of Chelmsford | The Town of Chelmsford will plant and maintain 33 new trees surrounding recreational fields and playgrounds, located mostly within EJ neighborhoods. | $46,000 |
| City of Greenfield | The City of Greenfield will plant and maintain 40 new trees and remove 1200 sq feet of impervious surfaces, along walking routes in EJ neighborhoods and identified hotspots. | $95,240 |
| Mystic River Watershed Association (Medford & Melrose) | The Mystic River Watershed Association, in collaboration with the City of Medford and City of Melrose, will plant 26 new trees in Medford and 61 new trees in Melrose within identified hotspots in each community. Additionally, impervious surfaces will be removed, and tree watering and maintenance will occur. | $99,736 |
| Town of Needham | The Town of Needham will plant and maintain 46 new trees along common walking routes to several neighborhood schools; all located within identified hotspots. | $92,000 |
| Town of Plymouth | The Town of Plymouth will plant and maintain 21 new trees surrounding a large area of impervious surface, located with an EJ neighborhood and identified hotspot. | $65,302.52 |
| Speak for the Trees (Boston) | Speak for the Trees will plant and maintain 80 trees in Boston neighborhoods. 40 public trees will be planted within walking routes bordering a cemetery and within a park, and 40 private trees will be planted in EJ neighborhoods. | $100,000 |
| Tree Eastie Inc. (East Boston) | Tree Eastie will plant and maintain 20 new trees along walking routes in East Boston and provide tree care & maintenance for 111 mature trees in the neighborhood. East Boston is an entirely EJ neighborhood with the lowest tree canopy cover in the city. | $36,600 |
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