VOLUNTEERING

There has been a strong volunteer presence since the implementation of ReLeaf Greater Hazelwood. Through various opportunities ranging from mulching parties to plantings, the time and efforts of these volunteers add up Volunteer support comes directly from the community and from surrounding areas The first year of ReLeaf Greater Hazelwood supported 14 hours of volunteer work. Volunteer efforts in 2022 increased to 56.5 hours. In addition to engaging local volunteers, a local nonprofit organization RIDC took an interest in working with Greater Hazelwood They worked to weed and mulch all of the trees surrounding the Three Rivers Village School in Hazelwood

WHAT DO WE HAVE?

WHAT DO WE WANT?

The public outreach campaign played a critical role in understanding the needs and interests of Greater Hazelwood residents. Throughout this process, the public was integrated into many aspects to gather feedback and refine interests. Public engagement included community meetings, creating a localized steering committee to guide the process, and conducting a public survey to understand the neighborhood interests.

Community Meetings

Greater Hazelwood had standing monthly community meetings to inform the neighborhood on projects and development throughout the neighborhood. These meetings are led by Hazelwood Initiative and community partners are invited to present A representative from Tree Pittsburgh attended those meetings to keep up on community developments and was invited to present at the start of ReLeaf to inform the community. Hazelwood Intiative would also periodically provide ReLeaf updates at these meetings.

Steering Committee Meetings

Tree Pittsburgh hosted bimonthly Zoom meetings with the steering committee to gather input from community members. These meetings created a platform for communication between Tree Pittsburgh and Greater Hazelwood residents Representatives from Greater Hazelwood Initiative, Greater Hazelwood residents, and Tree Pittsburgh came together to form a steering committee to guide an internal review of the plan. The steering committee has been instrumental in guiding the process and giving input on opportunities and challenges Future meetings with the steering committee will be necessary to move recommendations and implementation forward

WWANT?

Greater Hazelwood Public Survey

To further gather community feedback to guide ReLeaf plans, residents had the opportunity to respond to a public survey. To ensure accessibility, the public survey was distributed in a variety of ways. First, the survey was distributed door-to-door to allow direct feedback from community members. An online format was available for two months, and a phone option was available two days a week during the course of one month to provide residents with another way to participate in the survey In total, 246 citizens responded to the survey Of those who responded, 135 residents of the Greater Hazelwood area responded that there are not enough trees in Greater Hazelwood while 35 residents felt there were too many trees This survey was an excellent opportunity to gain both positive and negative feedback regarding Greater Hazelwood residents’ attitudes toward trees The following charts capture knowledge and understanding of the benefits of trees. Volunteer and educational opportunities surveyed included currently accessible community activities and opportunities that Tree Pittsburgh can bring to the community Activities that showed the highest levels of community interest will be considered for future engagement opportunities The benefits sections of the survey reflected the attitudes toward trees, the benefits they provide, and potential knowledge gaps regarding these benefits.

High response rates in the activities section highlighted community interest. Respondents indicated that they were most interested in planting a tree in the volunteering or recreational activity category while attending a tree identification walk was of the most interest in the educational activity category. Some residents could not participate in activities due to physical limitations and selected “ none of the above” in these cases The most striking takeaway from the Benefits section was that most residents did not know or did not understand the economic benefits that trees provide. Health and environmental benefits received over 100 responses of “Very Important” in every question In the economic benefits section “Very Important” only scored over 100 on two out of four questions. In the Economic benefits section, “Not Important” or “No Opinion” received higher responses from residents than the other two benefits section This demonstrates a knowledge gap and presented survey-takers with a learning experience. Overall, the public survey demonstrated mostly positive responses among some negative attitudes, which demonstrates the potential for further community education and engagement. The following pages show graphs to best illustrate the community's answers to the survey.

A lot of trees are being cut down

How do you feel about the number of trees in Greater Hazelwood?

WHAT DO WE WANT?

There are too many trees

31% 24%

A lot of trees are dying

35.7% 9.3%

There aren't enough trees

What volunteer or recreational activities would you like to participate in?

15.4% Hike or snowshoe in the Hazelwood Greenway 14.4%

Trees provide many health benefits. How important are the following benefits to you?

Provides food

Filter out air pollutants

Reduce stress hormones & depression

Strengthen immune system & accelerate healing

Encourage walking and physical fitness

Trees provide many environmental benefits. How important are the following benefits to you?

Reduce carbon dioxide

Provide shade

Reduce storm water runoff

Reduce landslides

Provide wildlife habitat

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

eLeaf Greater Hazelwood is comprised of three major tegories, each with integrated outreach and maintenance forts. ReLeaf Greater Hazelwood includes programs focused on reet trees, public trees, and private trees.

PROGRAM VISION

ReLeaf Greater Hazelwood will be driven by an engaged and informed community and supported by non-profit organizations, city agencies, and private property owners. Greater Hazelwood’s urban forest will be better maintained to preserve current resources and will equitably grow through the celebration of diversity while emphasizing native species to increase the environmental, economic, and health benefits that trees provide for future generations

1

Provide a strategic vision to increase and enhance the current tree canopy throughout Greater Hazelwood

2.