Great River Greening’s Post

Keep your community cool with help from American Forests' new tree equity analysis tool. 🌳🌳🌳 The DC-based advocacy group recently evaluated Indianapolis to identify which neighborhoods would most benefit from tree cover. Urban trees have been shown to reduce surface temperatures and the risk of heat stress as high-heat days become more common due to climate change. Carly Weidman from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. recently helped the city reach a goal of planting 30,000 trees! If your city, town, or county wants to join the tree planning and planting party, applications for ERI's 2025 Resilience Cohort are currently being accepted. Through the program's Urban Green Infrastructure track, communities receive support in conducting a tree canopy analysis and developing an equity-based plan. Communities also receive up to 100 trees to be planted in disadvantaged areas identified in the planting plan. Read the article on Indy tree cover: https://lnkd.in/gzDrHxAv Learn more about the Resilience Cohort program: https://lnkd.in/gUXRDEC3 #urbantrees #resilientcommunities

Each year in the United States, urban tree cover decreases by an estimated 36 million trees, or 175,000 acres. For perspective, New York City’s Central Park contains about 18,000 trees, meaning the U.S. loses 2,000 times the number of trees in Central Park each year to factors like urban development, industry, climate change impacts, and lack of tree maintenance. In 2021, tree equity studies confirmed that socially and economically disadvantaged communities are more likely to experience the negative effects of urban tree loss. On average, communities with high levels of poverty have approximately 41 percent fewer trees than their wealthier counterparts. To help combat this inequity, nonprofit environmental advocacy organization Faith in Place was awarded $1.99 million by the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase urban tree canopies in the Great Lakes region. These funds will allow Faith in Place to facilitate tree planning and workforce development projects at faith institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. A million thanks to Rev. Brian Sauder for sitting down with me to talk about tree equity and environmental justice for this article for Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition. #treeequity #treeplaning #environmentalworkforcedevelopment #freelacewriter #greatlakesregion #climateimpacts #urbantreeloss #environmentaljournalism

Charlotte City Council Approves Revised Piper Glen Development CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte City Council has approved the development near Piper Glen after over a year of discussions and adjustments. The 53-acre property at Rea Road and Elm Lane will now feature over 560 homes, down from the originally proposed 640. Key Changes: - Single-family homes reduced from 91 to 51. - The 15 single-family detached homes requirement removed. - Total housing units halved since the initial proposal. Environmental Considerations: - 32% tree-save area maintained. - 75-foot tree-save area on Elm Lane and a 50-foot landscape buffer on the southern boundary. - 12-foot multi-use path along Rea Road designed to avoid tree removal. Traffic Improvements: - Enhancements for 1,100 units remain in place, benefiting the current 566-unit plan. Community Response: - Opposition focused on preserving the natural environment. - Bald eagle nest concerns addressed; state wildlife officials confirmed no protected zone. Council Members’ Views: - Councilman Ed Driggs called the result a good compromise. - Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera praised the collaborative effort. The development falls within the district for the new Ballantyne Ridge High School off Johnston Road. For more updates, stay tuned to our news page.

TREE-topia …  TREE-rific.   We applaud the tremendous effort by Bruce, Kurt, Gavin and the Myalup Community Association.    All communities across the State should thank the dedicated volunteers and aspire to such prolific tree planting.    The metropolitan area is in desperate need of more tree canopy. The City of Melville’s director responsible of our natural environment, Mr Mick McCarthy, would do well to learn and seek direction from Gavin Waugh, who is also a Melville ratepayer.     Melville’s tree canopy has, and continues to be decimated, and we need many more trees to be planted just to start the road to recovery.    Sadly, it is our view that Melville is not taking the need for protecting and growing our tree canopy as seriously as it should, they seem to move along at their own slow pace; like many local governments. The Melville community, and others, must unite to grow  public open space and tree canopy for the benefit of future generations. #treecanopy #saveourspace #saveoursuburbs #tree #ratepayers #climateaction #MRRA #WATCA #MelvilleTreeCanopyAdvocates #MCAN #MelvilleClimateActionNetwork #Ratepayers #localgovernmentreform

Thinking globally, acting locally this Earth Day At our Foundation we have always appreciated our local community's respect for nature, outdoor recreation, and wanting to have clean water and clean air and healthy eco systems for all lives of nature to thrive. In honor of Earth Day today, we would like to highlight our efforts in local area to support our dedication to make our home - Earth a better place for all of us at present and for our future generations. We have different funds which support our local parks and environment:- Canton Trail Fund Canton Trail Fund is designed to provide grants to Canton Township for the building and maintaining of public bike and walking trails within the township of Canton. The intention of the fund is to be a supplement to existing and proposed future trail improvement, maintenance, expansion and capital construction activities of the Charter Township of Canton. Creating Habitats for Pollinators Fund The charitable purpose of this fund is to increase the amount of dedicated habitat for pollinating insects by planting native wildflowers in public and private spaces. We hope to engage communities, organizations, and individuals that might not otherwise support native landscaping. Our Lunch & Learn series has hosted several speakers to talk about environmental issues:- Healthy Yard Maintenance Annette DeMaria, Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities, provided advice and tips on creating a beautiful yard while protecting the Rouge River Watershed. Suggestions for fertilizer/pesticide use, mowing strategies, animal waste, and household chemical use were all discussed. Create Your Own Pollinator Garden David Hammond, Founder & Executive Director of Creating Habitats gave a very informative talk on Creating your own Pollinators Garden. Although pollinators are a critical part of our food system and the cornerstone of many ecosystems, they are in trouble. For the last two decades, pollinators have been under serious threat from habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. One of the very best, and easiest, things you can do to help pollinators is to plant a wildflower garden at your own home. These wildflower gardens not only provide new habitats for pollinators to thrive, they brighten up your yard, and reduce yard maintenance costs. Eco-Burial Gives Michigan Residents Lower Cost, Environmentally Friendly Option. The way we live impacts the world. So does the way we die. It isn't death that creates ecological problems, but rather the processes for dealing with our deceased. Peter and Annica Quakenbush talked about different options offered to Michiganders.

🌳 Schoolyard greening is making headlines! 🌞🌿 Two recent articles highlight the urgent need to transform asphalt playgrounds into green, shaded spaces to combat rising temperatures and improve student well-being: 1. The Washington Post: Why Schools are Ripping up Playgrounds across the U.S. https://lnkd.in/d4WnVh2J 2. The New York Times: Asphalt Schoolyards Get a Shady Makeover. https://lnkd.in/dPXuUXFi These initiatives are not just about creating play areas; they're about fostering healthier, more resilient communities. 🌱 The Nature Conservancy in Europe is doing its part, too. We are partnering with Deutsche Umwelthilfe on the Woods R Us project to bring vital changes to schoolyards, ensuring children have access to cooler, nature-rich environments. 🌳🏫 #GreenSchoolyards #UrbanGreening #ClimateAdaptation #Education #CommunityHealth #Nature #Sustainability

When you work in national policy, everything can seem very big and hard and abstract. That's why I love local reminders of the impact policy work can have. This is one of my favorite weeks a year in my home of a decade, Montgomery County, Maryland. It's shade tree application week, now through August 8! If you are selected, a lovely and experienced arborist comes to your house, determines how many trees can be planted, and helps you choose from several native species depending on what look you're aiming for. And then in a few months, a crew comes and plants your trees. The program also gives preference to #TreeEquity zones, which is important because parts of the county with fewer trees are hotter, which can lead to worse health outcomes. Tree equity is a big focus of national organizations like American Forests, but the impact is felt at a local level in places like Montgomery County Government. If you're in MoCo and want to apply this year, check out the link in the comments. 👇

Have you heard of #GreenGentrification? River Network 's new Equitable Development Toolkit offers guidance on how to green our cities without pricing families out of neighborhoods. The toolkit features groups like Groundwork USA and South Bronx Unite that practice a community-informed approach for multi-benefit solutions without displacing people in the process. Meanwhile, a new article from the Denver Post highlights the complexities of the Weir Gulch project, where flood infrastructure improvements may risk displacing Latinx communities. As #ColorOfWater member, Ean Tafoya from GreenLatinos points out, in a housing and climate crisis, “is displacement the solution?” How are you navigating water infrastructure improvements with community impacts in mind? Share your thoughts! 🛠️ Dive into the toolkit: https://lnkd.in/eV67d4X4 📰 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eV67d4X4 #ClimateChange #GreenInfrastructure

🌳 Exciting News: Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program Now Accepting 2025 Applications! 🌿 The Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program is your chance to bring impactful outdoor projects to life! This program offers up to 50% reimbursement for projects that: ✅ Acquire land for parks or conservation ✅ Create brand-new public parks ✅ Renovate and improve existing parks ✅ Expand and develop trail systems Who Can Apply? 🌟 Municipalities with an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plan 🌟 State agencies like DCR and DFG 🌟 Federally recognized Massachusetts tribes, including the Mashpee Wampanoag and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance outdoor recreation and conserve natural resources in your community! 👉 Learn more and find out how Capital Strategic Solutions can help: https://lnkd.in/eizJydkB #OutdoorRecreation #Conservation #MassachusettsGrants #ParksAndTrails #CommunityEnhancement #CSS

🚶♂️🌴 ICYMI: Exciting developments in Tampa! The West Riverwalk project is set to connect Downtown to 12 neighborhoods, including West Tampa, Riverside Heights, Ridgewood Park, and Ybor City. 🏙️ This 5-mile addition will complete a 12.2-mile multi-use pathway, enhancing our city’s walkability and bike-friendliness. 🚲✨ Key features of the project include: • Enhanced Safety: Installation of improved crossing features at major roadways to ensure pedestrian and cyclist safety. • Community Connectivity: The project will link neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, North Hyde Park, Tampa Heights, and Bowman Heights, fostering greater community interaction. • Educational Access: With connections near schools like Howard W. Blake High School and Stewart Middle School, students will have safer routes. • Environmental Benefits: Restoration of native shorelines will enhance wildlife habitats and increase resilience to storms and high tides. This transformative project is supported by a $24 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, underscoring its significance for Tampa’s future. Learn more about this exciting development: https://lnkd.in/gsbriMPr #TampaBay #WestRiverwalk #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityConnectivity #SustainableTampa