the Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR), the Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
and the Department of Housing and Community
Development (DHCD), along with Gateway City gov-
ernments and local grassroots organizations. GGCP
plants trees (ranging from 6 to 10 feet/1.8 to 3 m
tall) with a goal of covering at least 5% of the tar-
get neighborhoods in new tree canopy cover. Trees
are planted by DCR Bureau of Forestry's Urban
and Community Forestry crews hired from local
communities, with funding supplied by DOER's
Alternative Compliance Payment program.
Working at the Neighborhood Level
GGCP's efforts are based on current research,
which includes on-the-ground tree and energy
measurements in Worcester and other northern
climate cities. These studies show that tree can-
opy brings the greatest benefits when established
over an entire neighborhood area. This happens
by lowering wind speeds and reducing summer-
time air temperature in addition to the more
obvious benefits of direct shading. All households
in a neighborhood benefit from tree planting,
not just the ones with trees directly adjacent.
This program targets the parts of Gateway Cities
that have lower tree canopy, older housing stock,
higher wind speeds, and a larger renter popula-
tion. These criteria have a strong correlation with
EJ neighborhoods. Within planting zones, tempera-
ture, tree mortality, tree growth, and other data
is being tracked to document energy savings that
the new trees will provide over time. Pilot cities in
which this monitoring is taking place include Chelsea,
Fall River, and Holyoke, with research being con-
ducted by UMass Amherst and Clark University.
Concentrating tree plantings in target areas max-
imizes energy savings. Trees near a home directly
Tree crew plants at a
Housing Authority property
in Lynn, MA. Partnerships
between environmental
and housing agencies
benefit both groups.
www.urban-forestry.com 11
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