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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — On Wednesday afternoon, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts communities have received over $22 million in funding for new green spaces.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program created a competitive grant program designed to combat climate change and increase urban access to nature. The USDA awarded more than $1 billion to 385 applicants nationwide.
Some of the Massachusetts projects awarded funding include planting more than 15,000 trees in Springfield, a new urban forestry fellowship in Lynn, an expanded tree canopy in Fall River and community forestry in the Boston neighborhoods of Chinatown, East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury.
“We are incredibly excited to see Massachusetts cities and towns receive the funding they need to proactively expand green space in environmental justice communities across the Commonwealth,” said Healey.
Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper congratulated the communities that received funding from the USDA.
“This summer’s extreme temperatures have shown that our cities and towns are on the front lines of responding to the impacts of climate change,” said Tepper. “We’re proud to see these communities leading the charge in implementing climate resilient measures that will ensure a healthier, more equitable Massachusetts.”
For more information and a full list of projects that received funding, check out the governor’s full press release.
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