Groundwork Lawrence was recently awarded a $35,000 state grant for a tree planting and educational program within Haverhill environmental justice neighborhoods.
The Greening the Gateway Cities Program, offered by the state Energy and Environmental Affairs and Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry Program provided Groundwork Lawrence with the Non-Profit Partnership Grant awards to conduct door-to-door canvassing, literature mailings and tabling at community events to raise awareness of tree planting and communicate the benefits of urban canopy.
“Expanding our forest canopy is one piece of the larger puzzle to combatting climate change in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “With continuous heat waves leading to higher energy bills and greater greenhouse gas emissions, our Greening the Gateway Cities Program leverages our state resources and engages residents to help plant trees and enhance public health. Reducing the urban heat island effect is a top priority, and our non-profit partnerships through the GGCP will help cool our neighborhoods, towns and cities.”
Officials added tree planting in Gateway Cities is essential to achieving state climate goals by decreasing energy usage, reducing the impacts of flooding from stormwater runoff, mitigating the extreme heat in urban areas, and improving overall public health.