Greening the Gateway Cities

Greening the Gateway Cities is designed to reduce household energy use and improve public health by increasing tree canopy cover in urban residential areas. If you live in one of the 26 Gateway Cities in Massachusetts you may be eligible to have trees planted on your property.

Greening the Gateway Cities free tree sign-up form

Request a free tree 

What is Greening the Gateway Cities?

A healthy urban forest improves the quality of the water we drink, the air we breathe, the stability of our neighborhoods, and our sense of community and individual pride.

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry crews, hired within local communities, plant trees in Eligible Areas to increase tree canopy cover for environmental and energy efficiency benefits.

If you are eligible for trees to be planted, a DCR Urban Forester will contact you and set up a time to meet with you at the property you would like trees planted at. Together, you will identify what species of trees you want and where you would like them planted.

Urban and Community Forestry staff planting a tree

Target Areas

This program targets areas within Gateway Cities that have lower tree canopy, older housing stock, higher wind speeds, and a larger renter population. Greening the Gateway Cities is currently active in Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.

Greening the Gateway Cities Grant Opportunities

EEA is now accepting grant applications for FY 27 Greening the Gateway Cities Implementation and Partnership grants.  This year, GGC grant applications will be accepted only via the Grants Management System (GMS).  Your organization will need to login to the GMS system to create a profile, in order for you to submit an application. 
 

Non-Profit Partnership Grant

• Grants to support non-profits in their work to communicate Greening the Gateway City objectives, raise awareness of the benefits of urban trees, and encourage residents to participate in tree planting.
• Eligible Applicants: Qualified non-profit 501(c)3 organizations
• Maximum Award: $30,000

Tree Planting Implementation Grant

• Grants will support tree planting, tree watering & maintenance, and other related activities that have a measurable impact on the urban canopy in Gateway Cities.
• Grants to support municipalities and/or non-profit organizations, as they identify and prepare urban areas for tree planting in coordination with DCR.
• Eligible Applicants: Gateway City municipalities and qualified non-profit 501(c)3 organizations
• Maximum Award: $70,000

Contact Your Local Greening the Gateways Cities Office

Greening the Gateway Cities operates all year long. Call your local Greening the Gateway Cities office to determine if you are eligible to receive free trees or to schedule an appointment with a DCR Forester. Leave your name, address (including city), and telephone number.

City/Town	Phone number
Barnstable	[phone]
Brockton	[phone]
Chelsea	[phone]
Chicopee	[phone]
Everett	[phone]
Fitchburg	[phone]
Haverhill	[phone]
Holyoke	[phone]
Lawrence	[phone] x7016
Leominster	[phone]
Lowell	[phone]
Lynn	[phone]
Malden	[phone]
Revere	[phone]
Salem	[phone]
Springfield	[phone]
Taunton	[phone]
Westfield	[phone]
Worcester	[phone]