Grant will support tree-planting initiative

Holden Forests & Gardens announced it has received a $200,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation to support People for Trees. People For Trees is a public awareness initiative that encourages and empowers residents in communities across Northeast Ohio to plant and care for a tree, beginning with making a pledge, according to a news release. The aim is to have 15,000 new trees planted by 2025. “People for Trees leverages our unique role in the community by sharing knowledge, providing free educational opportunities, and encouraging people to grow their love and appreciation of trees,” Holden Forest & Gardens President and CEO Jill Koski said in the release. “In caring for trees together, we can each play a critical role to ensure that there is equitable access to green space for all people, especially those communities in greatest need.” Since launching the campaign earlier this month, 615 people have pledged to plant more than 1,500 trees. In total, HF&G is on track to plant more than 3,000 trees in Northeast Ohio this year between pledges and plantings with several partner organizations. “Tree canopy decline impacts our entire region but is most acute in Black, indigenous and people of color neighborhoods,” Stephen Love, program manager for environmental initiatives at the Cleveland Foundation, said in the release. “The Cleveland Foundation is encouraged that People for Trees will deepen HF&G’s community partnerships to support tree plantings, stewardship, and public awareness efforts in neighborhoods experiencing the greatest canopy loss.” Although the region has made progress in the past five years, according to the Cleveland Tree Plan 2020 Tree Canopy Progress Report compiled by the Cleveland Tree Coalition, tree canopy cover continues to decline. According to the release, forested land and tree canopy are declining across Northeast Ohio: • In rural areas of Ohio from 2013 to 2018, the area of forest land decreased by 300,000 acres and live trees decreased by 3 million. • In Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, tree canopy declined by 5 percent and 6 percent, respectively, from 2011 to 2017. Those interested can make a pledge to plant a tree at holdenfg.org/peoplefor-trees. HF&G will support each pledge with easyto-follow instructional toolkits, guidance on how to select the most appropriate tree and where to purchase it, free virtual classes, and other ongoing support, the release stated.