$6 MIL FEDERAL URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT
Published on October 03, 2023
HARTFORD, CONN (October 3, 2023) – Today, Mayor Bronin, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Hartford’s forestry and sustainability advocates gathered at Keney Park to announce that the City of Hartford has received $6 million from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant program, which will be used to implement the Capital Forest Stewardship Initiative. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Forest Service is investing $1 billion to nearly 400 projects that would expand access to trees and green spaces in disadvantaged communities.
With this funding, the City of Hartford will address the health and vitality of its urban canopy in both public and private spaces. The grant will support the City’s sustainability goals of 35% tree cover by 2070. With climate change exacerbating the urban heat island effect, increasing canopy coverage can allow direct sunlight and heat to be absorbed and diffused. As part of the Capital Forest Stewardship Initiative, the City will use a holistic approach to:
- Plant and support the growth of new trees
- Maintain mature trees through compost and tree trimming cycles
- Assess and remove trees that could pose public hazards
- Community education, outreach, and engagement
“Trees make a huge difference in so many ways, from helping keep the air cool and clean to the positive effect on mental health and wellbeing," said Mayor Bronin. "As a city, we've set ambitious goals for protecting and growing our tree canopy, and this grant will help us accelerate that work in a big way. I want to thank our federal delegation for making a historic investment in urban tree canopies nationally, and our community partners for advocating and working so hard for a healthy tree canopy here in Hartford. I also want to thank our forestry and sustainability teams at the city for everything they do every day to care for our trees and for putting together a really strong application. With this grant, we'll be able to plant a whole lot of trees, take care of the trees we have, remove dead or dying trees that might pose a risk, and involve our community in the work of building a greener, healthier city."
“Tree canopy is critical to keeping cities cool when temperatures rise and ensuring the air is clean,” said Senator Blumenthal. “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. I am thankful to Mayor Bronin for his commitment to creating a greener capital city, and I will continue to fight for funding to improve green infrastructure in our communities.”
“As the climate crisis worsens, each summer brings record-breaking heat – especially in cities like Hartford. Increasing tree canopy coverage is a proven way to help cool down temperatures while reducing air pollution and creating new green spaces for people to enjoy. I’m glad to see federal funding help the City of Hartford reach its sustainability goals,” said Senator Chris Murphy.
“I worked with my colleagues in Congress to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, taking action to combat climate change that our nation has long demanded,” said U.S. Rep. John B. 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.”
“Trees can improve lives in so many different ways, and I want residents to know that we will be strategic about placing trees where they are needed most,” said Cecelia Drayton, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “That means planting new trees on front lawns and in public spaces, and it also means keeping the trees we currently have healthy and taking down the trees that could pose a risk to the community.”
A strong urban forest can reduce air pollution that can contribute to respiratory conditions, improve uptake of water in watershed areas, support quality of life and the well-being of residents, conserve energy by addressing urban heat islands, and promote ecological habitats and biodiversity. In accordance with the City’s Tree Canopy Action Plan, the City will prioritize the neighborhoods which currently have the least canopy coverage.