As the urbanization of the human population increases, the destruction of green spaces in urban areas is increasing at an alarming rate. Urban areas with less tree coverage are often communities of color and tend to have higher levels of air pollution, which is linked to increased rates of respiratory diseases, particularly in children. Latino neighborhoods have up to 21% less tree canopy coverage compared to predominantly White neighborhoods in the same cities. 

Solutions for nature access in urban areas should be prioritized to hit the nexus of biodiversity, climate gains, and societal benefits. In the U.S., the biggest hot spots for nature loss within communities of color are in metropolitan areas, usually Latino and African-American neighborhoods.

“For more than a decade, Hispanic Access has catapulted our trust-based community networks into action by providing access, capacity, and the belief to create beneficial changes in their communities,” said Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce. "We are thrilled to support the city of Watertown to equip underserved communities with not only more trees and plants in their neighborhoods but also the knowledge and resources to engage in urban forestry.” 

The City of Watertown is moving forward with a new urban forestry initiative aimed at planting approximately 100 trees in environmental justice or disadvantaged areas. Each tree will be equipped with 20-gallon irrigation bags and support stakes. The city will continue to maintain and water the trees after planting. Informational hanging cards will be designed and attached to newly planted trees to educate residents on the project, with translations provided as needed to ensure effective community outreach. This initiative helps demonstrate Watertown’s commitment to expanding its urban tree canopy and enhancing environmental sustainability.

“We want to address the heat island effect in environmental justice communities of Watertown,” said Michael Micieli, City of Watertown Forestry Supervisor/Tree Warden. “This initiative seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote a more sustainable, resilient, and healthier environment, while also addressing historically underserved areas of the city.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service awarded more than $1 billion in competitive grants through the Urban and Community Forestry Program. Hispanic Access Foundation and the other awardees will be working towards advancing the mission of Justice40, to deliver 40% of the program’s investments through established and new partnerships working to support disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice issues.