FITCHBURG  — Studies have shown that increased tree canopy in urban areas reduces wind speeds and summertime air temperatures, reducing energy costs for residents and businesses. 

These findings inspired the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to start the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP), which offers residents and businesses within designated planting areas free tree plantings by the DCR Bureau of Forestry and Urban & Community Forestry crews hired from local communities. The GGCP plants their trees in the spring and fall and any business or residence in a designated area can request a tree planting from the program. 

The cities selected by the GGCP are either Gateway Cities or Environmental Justice Neighborhoods. According to MassINC, Gateway Cities are midsize urban centers that serve as an economic anchor – and thus a “gateway to the American Dream” – for the surrounding regions. The state defines “Environmental Justice Neighborhoods” as municipalities where minorities comprise 25 percent or more of the population and the median income does not exceed 150 percent of the statewide annual median household income. 

Furthermore, the GGCP is focused on Gateway Cities and Environmental Justice Neighborhoods that are windier, populated with older housing stock and have a high proportion of renters. 

As of now, the GGCP is currently active in:

  • Brockton
  • Chelsea 
  • Chicopee  
  • Fall River 
  • Haverhill 
  • Holyoke 
  • Lawrence 
  • Leominster 
  • Lynn
  • New Bedford 
  • Pittsfield
  • Quincy
  • Revere  
  • Springfield

In the fall of 2020, Lowell, Salem, Westfield and Fitchburg were added to the list. 

Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale is happy his city is now part of the program, which has planted nearly 30,000 trees in the state since 2014.  

“We are very happy about it and we are keeping pace with our sister city Leominster,” said DiNatale. “They’ve been doing this for a little longer than we have, so we are just glad to be part of the process.”

To date, the GGCP has planted 69 trees in Fitchburg. The goal for the organization is to plant 2,400 trees in Fitchburg. 

“Twenty-four hundred trees over the next several planting seasons, we will welcome with open arms,” said DiNatale.

The goal of the program is to cover 5 percent of each targeted area with tree canopy cover, which not only improves the aesthetics of the municipality, but the quality of the air and water as well.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to work closely with our partners in Fitchburg to enhance tree canopy in the city through initiatives like the Greening the Gateway Cities Program,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “Planting trees in Environmental Justice communities is just one of the many ways the Baker-Polito Administration is able to create community bonds, provide significant energy and environmental benefits, and enhance the beauty and climate resilience of urban neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.”