MARCH/APRIL 2022
A New Way to Serve Communities
Environmental Equity Grants expand tree cover in eight U.S. cities
E
veryone deserves to live in an area filled with trees and green space.
But for as much progress as we’ve made over the past several decades, that vision is still not a reality. In the United States, low-income communities and communities of color have significantly less tree canopy than wealthier, white areas, according to a recent report from American Forests.
The Value of Urban Trees
Not so long ago, the worth of a tree would have been considered immeasurable — not only because it offers an extensive list of valuable benefits but also because those benefits were simply too difficult to quantify. That all changed last year with the publication of a report, The Economic Footprint and Quality-of-Life Benefits of Urban Forestry in the United States. This report was the culmination of a first-of-its-kind research study conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Bureau of Business Research, in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation and the USDA Forest Service. And while the findings may not surprise some of us, it is exciting to share confirmation of the importance of urban trees. Research uncovered that the urban forestry sector has an annual sales and employment footprint equal to $64 billion — including more than 500,000 jobs. Also reported was the environmental impact. Urban trees contribute $73 billion in environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, and avoided stormwater runoff each year. And as you dig deeper into the numbers, there is a detailed breakdown of impact by state. Here’s a high-level look at some of that data.
Top 5 States with Greatest Annual
Top 5 States with Greatest Annual
Economic Footprint from Urban Trees State
Quality-of-Life Benefits from Urban Trees
Property Value (Millions $)
State
Annual value trees add to residential home properties.
Environmental Benefits (Millions $)
The value of the impact trees have to society from pollution abatement and stormwater mitigation.
Florida
$2,017
Texas
$6,153
North Carolina
$1,908
Florida
$4,432
Pennsylvania New York Georgia
$1,969
Georgia
$1,759
North Carolina Mississippi
$1,757
$4,739 $4,326 $4,176
This report has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase what our community trees are contributing — on both a national and statewide scale. You can find more information about this study and see more specifics of impact by state at arborday.org/treereport. 50133801
Arbor Day Foundation
•
211 N. 12th St.
•
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Bridging that gap means approaching tree planting in a brand new way. That’s why, last fall, the Arbor Day Foundation awarded eight Environmental Equity Grants to communities across the country. The grants, funded by Target, provide $100,000 to community projects that specifically address climateand race-related inequities through local tree planting initiatives. Recipients include: • Cumberland River Compact – Nashville, Tennessee • Friends of Grand Rapids Parks – Grand Rapids, Michigan • Baltimore Tree Trust – Baltimore, Maryland • TreePeople – San Fernando, California • Tuscon Clean & Beautiful – Tuscon, Arizona • Forest ReLeaf of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri • TreesUpstate – Greenville, South Carolina • The Bronx is Blooming – Bronx, New York In Nashville, Tennessee, this funding will be used to plant trees across low-income areas of the city. Planting events are organized by “neighborhood planting captains,” who hand out fliers and provide assistance to residents who need it. “You get to meet all your neighbors, and more importantly, provide something for your neighborhood that has a lasting legacy,” said past captain Ryan Bell. Meeting with individual residents and understanding each neighborhood’s needs is essential to making these plantings a success. But going door-to-door takes time — and resources — that organizations often do not have.
Take TreesUpstate in Greenville, South Carolina. The organization currently has the equivalent of four staff members. Thanks to this grant, they’ll be able to hire a program coordinator to assist with community engagement, increasing their impact exponentially. “This funding is truly critical for us,” wrote Trees Upstate staff in their proposal. “We do not receive any funding from the state, county, or local municipalities. We need a stepping stone to take us to the next level.” Areas without tree canopy can be as much as 10-15 degrees hotter than those with more tree canopy, making it uncomfortable and even dangerous to be outside on hot days. These trees will make neighborhoods cooler and more livable. They’ll also sequester carbon, improve air and water quality, and provide all the mental and physical health benefits that green space brings. 2022 marks the Arbor Day Foundation’s 50th anniversary — and innovative programs like this one are just a glimpse of what the next five decades have in store as we work to create a world where everyone can enjoy and prosper from the benefits trees provide. To learn more about the grants, visit arborday.org/equity.
into butterflies. The students then release the butterflies as part of the event. Even the ongoing pandemic didn’t stop the celebration. In 2020, Darien residents were encouraged to put signs celebrating trees in their windows, and the trees were still planted in 2021. In the early years of the event, Kathy shared this with the Darien Arbor Day Committee: “It is through whole community events like the Darien Annual Arbor Day Celebration that we are assured that there will be parks filled with trees for future generations, and also that Darien continues to be a very caring place where families want to live. The Darien Annual Arbor Day Celebration is a good thing for children, a good thing for families, for the Darien schools, and for all of us.” The passion for tree planting in Darien has created a lasting legacy for years to come. One young participant said it perfectly: “This was the best field trip ever!”
A Beloved
ARBOR DAY TRADITION
I
n early 2000, Oak Society member Kathy Minardi had an idea. She wanted to plant trees — lots of trees — in her hometown of Darien, Illinois.
But Kathy knew she couldn’t do it by herself. So, that spring, she enlisted the help of her son’s Boy Scout troop to plant trees in Darien parks in honor of lost members of their community. That was the town’s very first Arbor Day celebration. More than 20 years later, it has grown to a size she could have never imagined and has become a beloved tradition for residents of all ages. The key to the event’s success has been in the unique dedication of Darien community members. Each year, residents chip in their talents and resources to make it a truly special occasion. On Arbor Day, Father Gavin Quinn blesses each memorial tree. Sharon Convalle brings energy and music to the crowd. Heidi Ramirez provides coordination assistance
2
and handmade bows for each tree, and Pat Vanhal and Sue Dudic work with a team of volunteers from the local Kohl’s to fill “TreeT” bags full of educational material regarding trees and the environment. The Darien Park District is instrumental in getting the trees planted and coordinating the purchase of the memorial markers for each tree. And since 2006, the Vuillaume family has offset the entire cost of the event through the Gift of Carl Foundation, formed in honor of their late son. Thanks to Kathy and the continued efforts of countless others, Arbor Day in Darien has grown into an opportunity to inspire the next generation of tree planters. Children learn the importance of trees from musicians and special guests such as Beth Bengston from the Morton Arboretum. The Darien police and fire departments provide safety lessons and entertain the kids using fire trucks to water the newly planted trees. Caterpillars are also supplied to local schools so classes can care for them and watch them turn
A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 2
In 2020, Kathy was recognized with a Heart of Darien award for her commitment to making the town’s Arbor Day celebration what it is today. The award is presented each year to a resident who has helped make Darien — as its slogan suggests — “A Nice Place to Live.” It is truly heartwarming to see Oak Society members like Kathy step up and make such an incredible difference in their communities. We could not be more grateful for her work, along with all of you, who share her enthusiasm for making our planet a better place. If you have an Arbor Day tradition or passion for trees you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about it. Please visit arborday.org/yourstory to submit your story. It’s also not too late to start your own Arbor Day celebration this year! To learn more or find suggestions, visit celebratearborday.com.
into butterflies. The students then release the butterflies as part of the event. Even the ongoing pandemic didn’t stop the celebration. In 2020, Darien residents were encouraged to put signs celebrating trees in their windows, and the trees were still planted in 2021. In the early years of the event, Kathy shared this with the Darien Arbor Day Committee: “It is through whole community events like the Darien Annual Arbor Day Celebration that we are assured that there will be parks filled with trees for future generations, and also that Darien continues to be a very caring place where families want to live. The Darien Annual Arbor Day Celebration is a good thing for children, a good thing for families, for the Darien schools, and for all of us.” The passion for tree planting in Darien has created a lasting legacy for years to come. One young participant said it perfectly: “This was the best field trip ever!”
A Beloved
ARBOR DAY TRADITION
I
n early 2000, Oak Society member Kathy Minardi had an idea. She wanted to plant trees — lots of trees — in her hometown of Darien, Illinois.
But Kathy knew she couldn’t do it by herself. So, that spring, she enlisted the help of her son’s Boy Scout troop to plant trees in Darien parks in honor of lost members of their community. That was the town’s very first Arbor Day celebration. More than 20 years later, it has grown to a size she could have never imagined and has become a beloved tradition for residents of all ages. The key to the event’s success has been in the unique dedication of Darien community members. Each year, residents chip in their talents and resources to make it a truly special occasion. On Arbor Day, Father Gavin Quinn blesses each memorial tree. Sharon Convalle brings energy and music to the crowd. Heidi Ramirez provides coordination assistance
2
and handmade bows for each tree, and Pat Vanhal and Sue Dudic work with a team of volunteers from the local Kohl’s to fill “TreeT” bags full of educational material regarding trees and the environment. The Darien Park District is instrumental in getting the trees planted and coordinating the purchase of the memorial markers for each tree. And since 2006, the Vuillaume family has offset the entire cost of the event through the Gift of Carl Foundation, formed in honor of their late son. Thanks to Kathy and the continued efforts of countless others, Arbor Day in Darien has grown into an opportunity to inspire the next generation of tree planters. Children learn the importance of trees from musicians and special guests such as Beth Bengston from the Morton Arboretum. The Darien police and fire departments provide safety lessons and entertain the kids using fire trucks to water the newly planted trees. Caterpillars are also supplied to local schools so classes can care for them and watch them turn
A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 2
In 2020, Kathy was recognized with a Heart of Darien award for her commitment to making the town’s Arbor Day celebration what it is today. The award is presented each year to a resident who has helped make Darien — as its slogan suggests — “A Nice Place to Live.” It is truly heartwarming to see Oak Society members like Kathy step up and make such an incredible difference in their communities. We could not be more grateful for her work, along with all of you, who share her enthusiasm for making our planet a better place. If you have an Arbor Day tradition or passion for trees you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about it. Please visit arborday.org/yourstory to submit your story. It’s also not too late to start your own Arbor Day celebration this year! To learn more or find suggestions, visit celebratearborday.com.
MARCH/APRIL 2022
A New Way to Serve Communities
Environmental Equity Grants expand tree cover in eight U.S. cities
E
veryone deserves to live in an area filled with trees and green space.
But for as much progress as we’ve made over the past several decades, that vision is still not a reality. In the United States, low-income communities and communities of color have significantly less tree canopy than wealthier, white areas, according to a recent report from American Forests.
The Value of Urban Trees
Not so long ago, the worth of a tree would have been considered immeasurable — not only because it offers an extensive list of valuable benefits but also because those benefits were simply too difficult to quantify. That all changed last year with the publication of a report, The Economic Footprint and Quality-of-Life Benefits of Urban Forestry in the United States. This report was the culmination of a first-of-its-kind research study conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Bureau of Business Research, in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation and the USDA Forest Service. And while the findings may not surprise some of us, it is exciting to share confirmation of the importance of urban trees. Research uncovered that the urban forestry sector has an annual sales and employment footprint equal to $64 billion — including more than 500,000 jobs. Also reported was the environmental impact. Urban trees contribute $73 billion in environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, and avoided stormwater runoff each year. And as you dig deeper into the numbers, there is a detailed breakdown of impact by state. Here’s a high-level look at some of that data.
Top 5 States with Greatest Annual
Top 5 States with Greatest Annual
Economic Footprint from Urban Trees State
Quality-of-Life Benefits from Urban Trees
Property Value (Millions $)
State
Annual value trees add to residential home properties.
Environmental Benefits (Millions $)
The value of the impact trees have to society from pollution abatement and stormwater mitigation.
Florida
$2,017
Texas
$6,153
North Carolina
$1,908
Florida
$4,432
Pennsylvania New York Georgia
$1,969
Georgia
$1,759
North Carolina Mississippi
$1,757
$4,739 $4,326 $4,176
This report has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase what our community trees are contributing — on both a national and statewide scale. You can find more information about this study and see more specifics of impact by state at arborday.org/treereport. 50133801
Arbor Day Foundation
•
211 N. 12th St.
•
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Bridging that gap means approaching tree planting in a brand new way. That’s why, last fall, the Arbor Day Foundation awarded eight Environmental Equity Grants to communities across the country. The grants, funded by Target, provide $100,000 to community projects that specifically address climateand race-related inequities through local tree planting initiatives. Recipients include: • Cumberland River Compact – Nashville, Tennessee • Friends of Grand Rapids Parks – Grand Rapids, Michigan • Baltimore Tree Trust – Baltimore, Maryland • TreePeople – San Fernando, California • Tuscon Clean & Beautiful – Tuscon, Arizona • Forest ReLeaf of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri • TreesUpstate – Greenville, South Carolina • The Bronx is Blooming – Bronx, New York In Nashville, Tennessee, this funding will be used to plant trees across low-income areas of the city. Planting events are organized by “neighborhood planting captains,” who hand out fliers and provide assistance to residents who need it. “You get to meet all your neighbors, and more importantly, provide something for your neighborhood that has a lasting legacy,” said past captain Ryan Bell. Meeting with individual residents and understanding each neighborhood’s needs is essential to making these plantings a success. But going door-to-door takes time — and resources — that organizations often do not have.
Take TreesUpstate in Greenville, South Carolina. The organization currently has the equivalent of four staff members. Thanks to this grant, they’ll be able to hire a program coordinator to assist with community engagement, increasing their impact exponentially. “This funding is truly critical for us,” wrote Trees Upstate staff in their proposal. “We do not receive any funding from the state, county, or local municipalities. We need a stepping stone to take us to the next level.” Areas without tree canopy can be as much as 10-15 degrees hotter than those with more tree canopy, making it uncomfortable and even dangerous to be outside on hot days. These trees will make neighborhoods cooler and more livable. They’ll also sequester carbon, improve air and water quality, and provide all the mental and physical health benefits that green space brings. 2022 marks the Arbor Day Foundation’s 50th anniversary — and innovative programs like this one are just a glimpse of what the next five decades have in store as we work to create a world where everyone can enjoy and prosper from the benefits trees provide. To learn more about the grants, visit arborday.org/equity.