How This Program is Helping Transform Cities With Free Trees & See If Your City Made The List
This innovative program focuses on planting trees in select urban residential areas, with an ambitious goal of increasing tree canopy cover by 5% in targeted neighborhoods.
The Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) is making Massachusetts cities greener, one tree at a time. This innovative program focuses on planting trees in select urban residential areas, with an ambitious goal of increasing tree canopy cover by 5% in targeted neighborhoods. As stated on the GGCP website, "The program was created with a goal to increase the number of trees planted in urban residential areas of the Massachusetts Gateway Cities." The program plants substantial trees ranging from 6 to 10 feet tall, making an immediate impact on communities. The program brings together multiple state agencies in this collaborative effort. According to the program:
"The GGCP is a partnership between the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), along with Massachusetts Gateway Cities and local nonprofit organizations."
The benefits of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program are substantial and far-reaching. The GGCP reports that trees can increase property values by up to 20% and provide significant cooling benefits. In fact, they note that "the net cooling effect of a healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room size airconditioners operating 20 hours a day." Beyond these practical benefits, trees help clean the air, reduce noise pollution, create wildlife habitats, and improve overall quality of life in urban areas. As the program states in their FAQ, "We have trees of all shapes and sizes, and more often than not can find a species that will fit in your yard." The program currently has zones within:
Barnstable
Brockton
Chelsea
Chicopee
Everett
Fall River
Fitchburg
Haverhill
Holyoke
Lawrence
Leominster
Lowell
Lynn
Malden
New Bedford
Pittsfield
Quincy
Revere
Salem
Springfield
Taunton
Westfield
Worcester
To find out if your business or home is within the Greening the Gateway Cities Program's zone, visit their website to check out the map or get the phone number to call your local GGCP office directly at www.maurbancanopy.org/town. With over 40 different types of trees available and a focus on both native species and urban-adapted varieties, the program is thoughtfully designed to create lasting positive change in Massachusetts cities. The Greening the Gateway Cities Program is helping to transform urban landscapes while building stronger, more sustainable communities.
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