Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $700,000 to Increase Tree Canopy in Gateway Cities

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced nearly $700,000 to expand and care for tree canopy in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts. The funding will support projects that plant and maintain trees, remove pavement and other impervious surfaces, create a new microforest, 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,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “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 funding is awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Greening the Gateway Cities (GGC) Implementation and Partnership Grant Programs. 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.

The GGC program is a partnership between EEA, the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) 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. 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. 

“The Greening the Gateway Cities Program transforms our Environmental Justice communities by boosting energy savings, improving air and water quality, and beautifying our neighborhoods,” said State Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Third Essex). “We’re thrilled to expand this work across Lynn in partnership with the youth and community members at Raw Art Works.” 

"Trees cool our streets, purify our air, beautify our neighborhoods, and I am excited to see this critical funding going to Chelsea to bring more urban forestry to our community," said State Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Middlesex and Suffolk). "As the effects of climate change grow more intense, it is imperative that we increase tree canopy in our communities so we can increase shade and reduce the urban heat island effect. I am grateful to the Governor's team and GreenRoots for their steadfast work on this critical issue."

“Lynn is already seeing the benefits of the Greening the Gateway Cities program, and this funding will help us build on that progress,” said State Representative Dan Cahill (D-10^th Essex). “Investing in the care and maintenance of our public trees means healthier neighborhoods, more shade on hot summer days, cleaner air and more resilient public spaces. This investment is about creating a greener, healthier and more livable Lynn for residents today and for generations to come.”

GGC Implementation Grant Awardees

• GreenRoots - $75,000 to create a microforest in a vacant lot, funding the purchase of trees, tree watering, and stewardship and community outreach materials, in the City of Chelsea.
• Groundwork Southcoast - $75,000 to regularly water, maintain and monitor trees planted by the Greening the Gateway Cities Program in New Bedford.
• City of Lynn - $75,000 to regularly water 150 public trees planted by the Greening Gateway Cities Program in Lynn, as well as watering trees in Lynn Harbor Park.
• City of Malden - $75,000 to remove impervious surfaces to create tree pits for GGC, purchase tree materials, and regularly water public trees planted by Greening the Gateway Cities Program in Malden.
• OneHolyoke - $54,900 to regularly water 160 public trees planted by the Greening the Gateway Cities Program in Holyoke.
• City of Springfield - $75,000 to water trees planted by Greening the Gateway Cities Program in Springfield.
• City of Westfield - $75,000 to remove impervious surfaces to create tree pits for GGC and regularly water 70 public trees planted by Greening the Gateway Cities Program in Westfield. 

GGC Partnership Grant Awardees

• GreenRoots - $30,000 to support GreenRoots’ TreeKeeper Program, a community tree watering initiative in Chelsea. Additionally, funding will support outreach efforts to promote best urban forestry practices.
• Growing Places – $41,635 to conduct outreach, promote tree stewardship and generate community awareness of the GGCP in Fitchburg & Leominster. 
• Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust – $27,622.66 to conduct community outreach to raise awareness of GGC tree planting in Lowell, as well as offer training and educational programs.
• Raw Art Works - $30,000 to conduct community outreach, led by a youth team, to promote GGC in Lynn.
• Revitalize CDC - $30,000 to conduct outreach to generate interest in the GGC program and communicate the benefits of urban canopy in burdened areas in Chicopee. 
• Salem Sound Coastwatch – $30,000 to conduct outreach and generate interest in the GGC program, recruit residents to have tree(s) planted on their property, and identify high-priority planting locations throughout the designated planting zone in coordination with DCR.

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