BOSTON, MA — Last week, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Wilmington was one of 13 Bay State communities and non-profits recently awarded an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant. These matching grants are offered for the purpose of increasing a community’s tree capacity in order to maximize social, economic, and environmental quality.
Wilmington was awarded $10,860 to inventory and provide a health assessment of public shade trees and to upgrade the Town’s current Urban Forest Management Plan to include a proactive approach to pruning and risk reduction.
“I am pleased to see the town receive the DCR Forestry Challenge Grant, I have no doubt in my mind Wilmington will make full use of the monies with their townwide Tree Health and Inventory Control Program,” said State Representative James Miceli (D-Wilmington). “We’re an attractive town not just for our schools and our businesses, but for our greenery as well, and this money will help us keep our town streets, parks, and forests as attractive, strong, and healthy as they can be.”
“It is important that state government continues to work with local government and non-profit partners to promote and protect the tree canopy within the Commonwealth’s communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants will give our partners essential funding to ensure our forests remain healthy for generations to come.”
The funds for the Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants are provided by the USDA Forest Service and the Massachusetts ReLeaf Trust Fund, and are administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
“The Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants provide a vital funding source for municipalities and local non-profit partners to enhance communities through strategic planning and advocacy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton “By increasing the tree capacity within a community, residents and businesses will enjoy lower heating and cooling costs, cleaner air and water, a reduction in noise pollution, and the natural beauty trees bring to our neighborhoods.”
“DCR’s stewardship of the Commonwealth’s natural resources does not stop at the borders of our properties,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “The Baker-Polito Administration remains committed to assisting our partners throughout the state to maintain and promote the health of all community forests.”
(NOTE: The above abbreviated press release is from the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Department.)
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