Tree Planting for Environmental
and Energy Justice
As one of the original 13 colonies, Massachusetts
has had plenty of time to grow and change over
the last few hundred years—from forested, to
agrarian, back to forested, to now increasingly
urbanized. With an area of 10,555 square miles
(27,340 sq km), Massachusetts is now the third
most densely populated state in the union. While
the state has maintained large amounts of for-
ested land, about 75% of that land is privately
owned. As land value increases, there is strong
potential for canopy loss by future urbanization.
On publicly held land, the State's robust forestry pro-
gram helps to bring the benefits of environmental
conservation to a majority of residents. Benefitting
the most are those with state parks and forests in
their community or within a short driving distance.
But what about populations without equitable
access to these resources, or who are unaware of
these environmental benefits that the State's for-
estry program has worked so hard to protect?
Recognizing the impacts of this, Massachusetts has
placed an increased focus on an Environmental
Justice policy. Environmental Justice (EJ) is the
equal protection and meaningful involvement of
Greening the Gateway Cities Program
Story and Photos by Mathew Cahill, Urban Forester, Massachusetts
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Boston, MA
Tree crew in Brockton, MA works on a balled-and-
burlapped setback tree. GGCP strives to plant at
least 80% of trees in yards, keeping them away from
streets and the associated environmental stresses.
www.urban-forestry.com 9
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