Worcester Tree Master Plan Seeks Public Input

Worcester MA

31 May, 2022

1:41 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — Last May, Worcester received a "Tree City" award from the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing steps the city has taken to continuously preserve and grow trees in an urban environment. But that doesn't mean everything is all green. Many neighborhoods in Worcester — especially in the center of the city in neighborhoods like Main South and the Canal District — have low "tree equity" scores, a measure of how many urban trees exist in a given U.S. Census tract. Local environmental activists also fear Worcester's urban canopy is disappearing as large and small development projects progress across the city. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Department of Public Works and Parks will hold public meetings on the upcoming urban forestry master plan — a roadmap for Worcester to protect trees and plant new ones in the future. "These upcoming public hearings are a chance for all of us to speak up in support of new policies and regulations that will ensure trees, especially mature trees are protected and replaced proportionately if they do need to be removed," Mass Audubon Community Advocacy and Engagement Manager Deb Cary said in an email this week alerting residents about the meetings. "Tree cover is a critical mitigation tool for addressing climate impacts of hotter temperatures and increased storm water episodes." The new urban forestry master plan also comes as Worcester assembles its first tree commission. District 1 Councilor Sean Rose introduced the idea in August after a controversy over the removal of close to 100 shade trees in the city, particularly in the Newton Hill area. The new tree commission is still looking for five residents to join and hasn't held any meetings yet, according to the city website. The urban forest master plan meetings this week will both take place Stearns Tavern, 140 Mill St., on Wednesday at 6 p.m.; and on Thursday at the parks and recreation office at Green Hill Park, 50 Manny Familia Way, also at 6 p.m.