2,400 New Trees to be Planted as Salem Joins “Greening the Gateway Cities” Program
The City of Salem has been selected to join the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting Program. Through this program DCR foresters will plant 2,000 new trees on private property and 400 trees on City property. The first 40 City trees will be planted this Spring along Lafayette Street and Bridge Street.
Residents who live in the designated planting zone for the program may be able to have trees planted in their yard at no cost to the resident, with a commitment to water their new trees.
To find out if a location is in the planting zone, go to https://www.maurbancanopy.org/town/salem/ and type in the address. Eligible property owners may request a free tree by calling the DCR forester phone number listed on the same page.
DCR works with 18 Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth to increase tree canopy cover in urban residential areas, especially Environmental Justice neighborhoods. Designed to bring energy efficiency and environmental benefits of a healthy tree canopy to Gateway Cities, increased tree canopy also reduces stormwater runoff, improves air quality, increases property values, and creates a safer, healthier environment for residents.
“Over the past several years Salem’s commitment to our public trees has grown substantially,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “From major increases in our tree budget, to the comprehensive tree ordinance and new Tree Commission, to our city-wide tree inventory and maintenance plan, we are committed to keeping our community green to address air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection against extreme heat and flooding. I am pleased that Salem is one of the 18 municipalities selected for the Greening the Gateway Cities program, and we remain dedicated to keeping our tree canopy flourishing throughout our community.”
Salem Sound Coastwatch (salemsound.org) is Salem’s non-profit partner helping with outreach to encourage people to sign up for trees, learn about tree care and become tree stewards. The City also received funding to support public tree planting with the removal of pavement and other impervious material, and the addition of soils and permeable material. Cities and non-profits have been encouraged to locate and restore vacant lots to ready them for tree planting.
“The Greening the Gateway Cities Program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to benefit Massachusetts residents for generations to come,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Increasing tree cover in our Gateway Cities helps to both address climate change and create a healthier environment for urban residents.”
“By adding the cities of Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield into the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, our Administration continues to invest in the future of these cities and further enhance our environmental resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to working with these cities to plant thousands of trees, delivering significant benefits to residents in these communities and helping the Commonwealth make progress toward its long-term climate goals.”
“With the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, we are improving equity in communities with significantly less greenery and shade, improving the quality of life for residents by providing cooler neighborhoods and lowering energy bills,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “A significant expansion in trees also means cleaner air, less flooding, more beautiful neighborhoods, and a boost to the local economy by creating jobs at local nurseries and within the neighborhoods for tree planting.”
Those residents who do not live in the program’s planting zone, but who are interested in requesting a street tree be planted on City property at their address can do so by using the Tree Planting Request on See Click Fix.