Tree Pittsburgh’s Post

Since the 1930s redlined neighborhoods have been isolated by highways, received lower levels of infrastructure and recreational (parks) investment, and have been the de facto area zoned for industry. The impact of these regulated practices resulted in the creation of economically and socially disconnected neighborhoods with higher health risks and lower life expectancy. Today, many of these sites are considered brownfields. This webinar will review the impacts of redlining on American cities, and examine how communities can guide the reuse of brownfields to mitigate past harms, eliminate health risks, unravel systemic racism, and move toward equitable, attractive and vibrant communities for all. Register Here: https://loom.ly/L2sOg2c

#ClimateAction of the day: Tell Congress to fund the conversion of concrete schoolyards into green spaces! Our public schools span nearly 2 million acres, yet many schoolyards are covered in concrete or asphalt, which can become dangerously hot and worsen extreme heat risks. Moreover, about 28 million children in the U.S. do not live near any parks, & communities of color have access to 44% less park space. By creating green spaces, we not only protect children from extreme heat but also create healthier, more equitable communities. https://lnkd.in/gTGZG8uG #ClimateAdvocacy #TakeClimateAction #ActOnClimate

NEW BLOG by Carla Walker and Titilope Akinade From Detroit to Albuquerque, local organizations are using $600B in federal funding to transform neighborhoods, reimagining what environmental justice looks like on the ground and delivering results: 💡 14% reduction in energy bills 🌲 New community green spaces 🏘️ Free home health protection systems 👥 Workforce development initiatives 💪 Intergenerational community building While these initiatives show tremendous promise, local organizations face serious challenges, from complex grant processes to eroded trust in government initiatives. Read our full analysis: https://bit.ly/4fx2NeN #EnvironmentalJustice #CleanEnergy #UrbanDevelopment #UrbanRenewal #Justice40

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. 👇

🌳 March 21 is International Day of Forests. 🌲 Here at Great River Greening, we LOVE trees! So much so that we can't wait to plant, distribute, and maintain up to 10,000 trees over the next five years. These trees will be on city property, school campuses, public housing, community sites, regional parks, and residential homes across communities identified as in need of tree canopy improvement via the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). In Fall 2023, Greening was awarded $10M from the USDA’s Forest Service to implement this coalition-building, 5-year program called Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC): Expanding Tree Canopies, Empowering Communities, and Increasing Access. ✨GET THE DETAILS ✨ To learn more about who we're partnering with, what geographic areas can get trees as part of the funding (updates will be added as they're available), and check out our FAQ section, visit our new webpage: https://lnkd.in/g-Fwb5CK 📸: Phil Davies #GreatRiverGreening #InternationalDayOfForests #Forests #Trees #TreeCanopy #Partnerships #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateSolutions #Nature

How can governments successfully engage communities for neighborhood project ideas? In #Detroit, city, state and federal officials are asking residents for input on a list of “environmentally beneficial projects” that government agencies can use to pursue grant funding.

The recent announcement from the Vermont Council on Rural Development could have a transformative impact on communities that are urgently navigating a multitude of necessary infrastructure renewals and adaptations to climate change. The trust fund structure provides a mechanism for financial stability but is not a panacea; it demands diligent long-term management. Woodstock, VT, for instance, is in an advantageous position, benefiting from a private endowment designed to help secure its future prosperity. Despite the financial boon from this endowment, Woodstock, VT, continues to experience persistent municipal financial constraints preventing major upgrades in critical infrastructure. This is largely due to inadequate long-term financial planning. Additionally, the increasing frequency of significant climate events exacerbates these challenges, posing a severe risk to our community’s resilience. Trust funds are both important and necessary, but equally critical are capacity building and maintaining fiduciary responsibility.

Highway projects in Omaha have a history of favoring affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods while placing disproportionate environmental burdens on minority communities. A new study by researchers from Clemson and Creighton Universities sheds light on these disparities, highlighting the need for urban planning that integrates social and environmental justice. As professionals in the field, it’s crucial to advocate for infrastructure projects that benefit all communities, not just the privileged few. Let’s engage in this vital conversation and push for more equitable solutions. https://lnkd.in/gmxy9S5E #UrbanPlanning #EnvironmentalJustice #SustainableDevelopment #Omaha

Did you know that Slow The Flow is going to the Houses of Parliament this Tuesday? Thanks to the support of MP Holly Lynch, we’ll be sharing the importance and benefits of natural flood management with MPs and members. Many MP’s have already said they will be there, this is a positive step and a chance for our voices to be heard. Here’s our key messages: 👉🏻 The outdated framework for funding of NFM needs rebalancing. NFM is a different approach, that is cost effective and value for money 👉🏻 Implementation of Schedule 3 of the FWMA for England ASAP, ensuring all new developments have to include SuDS 👉🏻The need for the development of green skills and expertise. NFM officers should be present in all Local Authorities 👉🏻 Education is key for long term understanding and success. This should be part of the primary school curriculum 👉🏻 NFM and SuDS have a positive impact on Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSO) and should be prioritised by OFWAT / funded by water companies. Automatic right to combined sewer connection should be removed.

Community Workshop #1 – 2050 Comprehensive Plan 📅 Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 Location: Winter Springs Civic Center, 400 N. Edgemon Ave, Winter Springs, FL 32708 Dear Winter Springs Community, I’m excited to invite you to the first of three community workshops focused on creating a forward-thinking Comprehensive Plan that will guide Winter Springs through the year 2050. This workshop is your chance to voice your ideas, share your insights, and help shape the long-term vision for our city. The 2050 Comprehensive Plan is a foundational document that will set clear goals, objectives, and policies to address a wide range of topics, including land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, conservation, and parks and recreation. This plan will serve as a roadmap for Winter Springs, ensuring that we grow sustainably and meet the needs of our future generations. What to Expect: Interactive Discussions: Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow residents, city leaders, and planners to ensure your voice is heard in the planning process. Topics of Focus: The plan covers essential areas like land use, transportation, infrastructure, parks, housing, and more, and your input will be valuable in setting priorities. Opportunity to Contribute: This is a collaborative effort to define what Winter Springs will look like in 2050. Get Involved: To access additional information and participate in a citywide survey, visit the project website at https://lnkd.in/ezjmSjNb. Your input is invaluable in ensuring a vibrant, resilient future for Winter Springs. I look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to create a plan that reflects our community’s values and aspirations. https://lnkd.in/e-Dwrtnh