ACTON — Town Manager John S. Mangiaratti is pleased to announce that the Town of Acton recently received a grant and award in recognition of the town’s tree expansion initiatives.
DCR Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant
The Town of Acton was recently awarded a $30,000 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant from the Department of Recreation and Conservation to support the town’s Public Shade Tree Inventory Assessment and Management Plan.
The grant is awarded annually to municipalities and nonprofits looking to improve and protect urban forests.
The town will seek a Level 2 assessment of the public shade trees in Environmental Justice areas with the funding.
This project is a continuation of the town-wide Tree Inventory Project within the Environmental Justice areas, which is focused on building amore comprehensive Forestry Asset Management Plan.
The assessment will help the town proactively schedule, plan, budget and target priority work, resulting in a more sustainable tree program. Data will provide a better understanding of tree species, composition and conditions, and will assist in generating maintenance recommendations.
The information gathered also will help further understanding of the urban forest’s structure and health to promote management decisions to improve the urban forest, human health, environmental quality and climate resiliency.
The overall goal is to have a well-managed forestry program that provides oxygen, natural shade, carbon sequestration, stormwater mitigation, view barriers, a healthy wildlife habitat, aesthetics, as well as protection from wind, glare and noise.
2021 Growth Award from Tree City USA
The Town of Acton also was recently awarded the 2021 Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation and Tree City USA.
The award is presented to Tree City USA communities that demonstrate a high-level commitment to tree care and community engagement.
Throughout 2021, the town planted numerous trees through the Tree Planting Programs and participated in tree debris recycling. The Land Stewardship Committee also worked to ensure that the 1700+ acres of public conservation lands owned by the town were maintained with proper care.
The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The program provides direction, assistance and national recognition for these communities. Acton is celebrating its 25th year as a Tree City USA community. The town originally received its designation in 1997.
“The town would not have received these recognitions without the hard work of Department of Public Works Director Corey York and Tree Warden Ryan Hunt,” Town Manager Mangiaratti said. “These recognitions are a true testament to the Town of Acton’s commitment to forestry and the environment, and we are excited to grow our tree initiatives in the future.”
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