Federal Funds to Plant Trees in Urban Communities Headed to Connecticut

Trees, it turns out, make a difference. Studies show that communities with access to trees and green spaces are associated with improved health outcomes, reduced crime, lower average temperatures, and an influx of other kinds of investments and new economic opportunities.

With that in mind, through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States Forest Service is making what is described as “historic investments in boosting the nation’s tree cover in urban, suburban and rural communities nationwide.”

The federal agency has selected 385 grant proposals – including eight in Connecticut - from entities that are working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces, and the many benefits they provide.

In announcing the grant to be received by Norwalk, Mayor Harry Rilling said this month: “We’re receiving a $1 million grant for tree planting within the City of Norwalk, and as most of us know, we are a very tree-friendly city. We really want to have trees in the city because we know they benefit us to such a great degree.”

“The reason this is really important, the reason we are talking about trees is a real win-win,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “Trees reduce urban noise, they reduce urban pollution, they actually have a fairly dramatic psychological effect on people who live in dense inner-city areas.”

At a news conference earlier this month announcing the funding to be received by Hartford, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said “Tree canopy is critical to keeping cities cool when temperatures rise and ensuring the air is clean. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, these funds will help restore and expand Hartford’s urban canopy coverage by planting thousands of new trees and removing trees that are hazardous.”

Added Congressman John Larson: “As we continue to face the threats of extreme heat and worsened air quality, this grant will help the City of Hartford meet its sustainability goals to plant and grow new trees, slash air pollution, and expand access to urban green space.”

The full list of initiatives being funded in Connecticut:

City of Hartford, Department of Health and Human Services - Funding: $6,000,000

Capitol Forest Stewardship Initiative:
This project assists disadvantaged communities in Hartford, CT,  by increasing the urban canopy equitably to a sustainable strategic goal. This project addresses dead/dangerous tree conditions, extreme heat, and deteriorated public parks in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, this project expands community opportunities for training within the green workforce.

City of New Haven, Department of Parks and Public Works - Funding: $362,000

A Strategic Vision for New Haven's Urban Forest:
The City of New Haven seeks funding to expand its infrastructure to deliver urban forestry services.  Requested funds will be used for professional development of existing tree care staff; development of an urban forest master plan complete with stakeholder engagement/outreach; and a city-wide canopy assessment.

City of Norwalk - Funding: $1,000,000

Norwalk Improvements to Increase Urban Forestry:
This project will expand the scope of its Tree Canopy Master Plan (TMP) currently being developed and to fund a strategic work plan to carry out the TMP goals equitably.  This project focuses on community outreach during the strategic planning process and expands access to urban canopy in areas with chronically low tree coverage.

City of Stamford - Funding: $1,000,000

Growing Together Stamford:
This project will establish trees in public right-of-way planting locations in disadvantaged downtown Stamford neighborhoods. Youth will receive training to facilitate the stewardship of these trees. The project will help Stamford reduce carbon emissions, mitigate heat islands, enhance public safety, improve mental health, and create other significant benefits.

Groundwork Bridgeport, Inc. - Funding: $1,708,335

Revitalizing the Urban Landscape through Equitable Tree Plantings and Monitoring:
Groundwork Bridgeport will work with the Open Spatial Lab to advance the use of tree data inventory, urban heat monitoring, and assessment tools to document and develop data systems that direct tree planting efforts and quantify associated impacts in the 32 (out of 37) census tracts designated as communities in need in Bridgeport.

New Haven Urban Resources Initiative, Inc. - Funding: $2,640,847

Tree Equity and Employment:
This project will pay disadvantaged residents to plant trees in New Haven communities.  This project increases equitable access to the benefits of urban tree canopy, and mitigates disproportionate urban heat islands in New Haven.

The Nature Conservancy - Funding: $2,230,355

Connecticut Urban Forest Network for Equity and Resilience:
The Connecticut Urban Forest Network for Equity and Resilience will increase awareness of the acute needs of severely under-canopied environmental justice communities across Connecticut, increase knowledge and resource-sharing within and between communities, expand funding opportunities, and coordinate solutions to inequities in canopy cover.

Town of Stratford - Funding: $500,000

South End Tree Inventory, Management Plan & Arboretum:
This project will provide a comprehensive tree inventory, canopy assessment, and Urban Forest Management Plan as well as planning documents for an Urban Landscape Arboretum for an environmentally challenged area of Stratford.