Medford Awarded $20K Grant To Grow Tree Canopy

MEDFORD, MA — The city has been awarded $20,000 for the Medford Canopy Improvement Initiative, Mayor Stephanie M. Burke announced Thursday. Grants were awarded to fourteen municipalities, amounts ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.

"I’m grateful to the Medford Tree Advocacy Group (MTAG) for taking the initiative and
applying for this grant. Increasing the tree canopy in our City will greatly assist us in
reaching our sustainability goals," Burke said in a statement.

The grant will allow Medford's tree canopy to grow by 25 percent in 2019. The city will plant new trees in places where the tree inventory is significantly lower. Additionally, the funds will contribute to numerous events including but not limited to community tree plantings, interactive events, and educational events.

"From filtering the air we breathe and absorbing stormwater pollution, to mitigating the
urban heat island effect, trees play a key role in protecting and restoring the Mystic
River and watershed lands," Erica Wood, Communications and Outreach Manager at the Mystic River Watershed Association, said in a statement. "We are excited to partner with the City of Medford to increase tree canopy and raise awareness of all ways trees benefit our
community."

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story was based on a press release that said the canopy will grow by 50 percent. The correct canopy growth figure is 25 percent.