Salem Sound Coastwatch Awarded $30K To Help Build Witch City Tree Canopy

SALEM, MA — Salem Sound Coastwatch was among dozens of groups in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts named to share in $700,000 in state grants to help grow the tree canopy in those communities.

The funding will support projects that plant and maintain trees, remove pavement and other impervious surfaces, create a new microforest, and work directly with residents to care for trees in their neighborhoods.

"More trees mean more shade, cooler homes and less energy needed for air conditioning, which can help lower energy bills during the hottest months of the year," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Trees also help absorb stormwater, improve air quality and make our neighborhoods healthier and more comfortable places to live.

"These grants will help bring those benefits to more communities across Massachusetts."

The funding is awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Greening the Gateway Cities (GGC) Implementation and Partnership Grant Programs.

Four municipalities and three nonprofit organizations will receive $504,900 through the GGC Implementation Grant Program to support tree planting and maintenance, removal of impervious surfaces and the creation of new green spaces in seven Gateway Cities.

An additional six nonprofit organizations will receive $189,000 through the GGC Partnership Grant Program to work directly with residents and business owners to identify locations for free trees and support long-term tree stewardship.

Those include Salem Sound Coastwatch, which received $30,000 to conduct outreach and generate interest in the GGC program, recruit residents to have trees planted on their property, and identify high-priority planting locations throughout the designated planting zone in coordination with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.