Speak for the Trees, Boston

from Speak for the Trees Boston Introduction

SPEAK FOR THE TREES Boston

Serving greater Boston, Massachusetts

Our Mission

Speak for the Trees is committed to improving the size and health of the urban tree canopy in Boston.

Speak for the Trees is committed to improving the size and health of the urban tree canopy in the greater Boston area, especially in areas with low canopy coverage. Our work focuses on community engagement, educational outreach, and public advocacy. We partner with residents, community groups, municipalities, and national partners to build a healthier tree canopy for all.

We aim to achieve our mission through community projects at the neighborhood level. We believe that change happens when citizens have ownership over their urban spaces and feel empowered to take action. Trees, whether they be on private or public property, serve to connect residents to their community, their neighbors, and the larger global environment. This will be achieved through raising awareness about the importance of trees and the role that every resident can take in planting and caring for trees.

Speak for the Trees is committed to partnering with the numerous existing local and national environmental organizations to build a healthy urban forest. Through robust collaborations and shared best practices, Speak for the Trees creates customized programs according to the unique needs, geography, and structure of each neighborhood. We envision a city with a healthy tree canopy that takes into account issues of equity such as diversity, race, socioeconomic status, and geography.

Speak for the Trees advocates for updated municipal policies governing tree planting, neighborhood prioritization, and length of care . Our objective is to ensure trees are efficiently planted and strategically placed in communities that need them most.

Our Root Values

Urban resiliency is critical in this era of global climate change.

All Boston-area residents deserve a clean and healthy urban environment.

Strong and green communities are the backbone of safe spaces, social cohesion, and livable neighborhoods.

All residents play an important role in solving local and global environmental challenges.

In order to meet its Climate Action Plan Goal, Boston needs to increase its current canopy coverage by 30 percent within the next decade

Why We’re Here

Trees are a vital component of a healthy urban landscape. They provide shade and beauty and contribute numerous economic, environmental and health benefits such as reducing the heat island effect, cleaning air, and increasing property values. Equally important, trees build community by connecting people to neighborhood spaces and each other.

The City of Boston recognizes trees as an integral component of its long term health and sustainability. As part of its 2014 Climate Action Plan, Boston committed to plant 100,000 trees to increase the urban tree canopy coverage from 27% to 35% by 2030.

A vibrant tree canopy, however, requires continuous care in order to prosper. A plan of this scope requires longterm partnerships with multiple stakeholders including residents, community groups, municipalities, academic institutions, and national partners. the next eleven years.

The History of Boston’s Tree Canopy

Our Goals

We plan on improving the condition of the urban forest now and for future generations by:

Increasing the tree canopy coverage in Boston to 35% by 2030 as defined by Boston’s 2014 Climate Action Plan.

Collaborating with local, state, and national organizations to create a robust and sustainable network of tree advocates.

Partnering with municipal officials to support their work and increase the city’s capacity for tree-related projects.

Engaging and educating residents about caring for trees through planting, watering, and stewardship.

Advocating for improvements to city ordinances related to tree planting, removal, maintenance, and care.

Our Plan

We will achieve our goals through:

Neighborhood-focused tree plantings.

Active and ongoing partnerships with residents, community groups, municipal officials, academic institutions, and national partners.

Sharing up-to-date information about trees in the greater Boston area.

Public engagement through outreach, education, and arts.

Sponsorship of community-based stewardship programs to educate the public about tree care, especially in underserved and under-canopied neighborhoods.

Direct engagement of City of Boston officials to improve city tree ordinances.

Next Steps

Speak for the Trees has a bold and exciting vision for the future that will ensure a healthier and greener Boston for all. We are actively:

Launching our new volunteer-driven Street Tree Inventory in 2019.

Partnering with like-minded organizations to plant trees in under-canopied neighborhoods.

Creating a coalition of public, private, nonprofit, academic, and community organizations who together can speak with a unified voice for trees.

Tapping into a rich network of national nonprofit organizations and corporations.

Building an executive board and advisory team of community and academic leaders to guide our work.

David Meshoulam, Co-Founder Board Member and Executive Director David has been a science educator for the past 15 years. He has created innovativeinterdisciplinary courses in science: in Watertown he develops and leads Trees for Watertown'sTeens for Treesprogram, at Newton North he co-developed Science in Society, during a year in Honduras hecreated a Nature Guide training program, and he taughtgraduate courses in science education at Boston College, Northeastern University, and Boston University. Heholds aPhDin Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Amanda Rich, Co-Founder Board Member and Program Director Amanda has worked in the life science industry and as a sustainability consultant for over 15 years. Amanda was profiled in the Harvard Gazette for developing a model demonstrating how the energy burden of Boston residents could be reduced through data-driven tree planting site and species selection. She has an educational background in biology, forensic science, and a Master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University.

Andrew Droste Board Member Andrew is an Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG) expert at Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) within their Board Advisory & Effectiveness Practice. Prior to RRA, Andrew led ESG engagement, research, and risk analyses for BNY Mellon’s Proxy Voting and Governance Committee. Andrew began his career as an ESG risk analyst at Nuveen on their Responsible Investing Team. He holds a J.D. from Northeastern Law and a B.S. from Suffolk University.

Melinda Vega Board Member Melindais a 29-year old Latina, a mother of two, and a lifelong resident of Chelsea MA. While pursuing her degree in Psychology, she is also the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) where she follows her passion for Social and Environmental Justice, Youth Empowerment, and Undoing Racism. Melinda coordinates the NOAH Youth Organizers (N-YO) program, empowering them to be change-makers in their community.