With the successful completion of Speak for the Trees' final community tree walk in Mattapan, we are pleased to look back and reflect on the project, work, and partnerships. Our dual goals in developing these walks were for community groups and residents to learn about the importance of urban trees and for Speak for the Trees, in turn, to learn from community members. By collaborating with neighborhood groups and other partners, we aimed to foster a greater appreciation for urban trees and advocate for a greener, healthier future for all residents of Boston. Starting in the summer of 2022, we collected surveys and stories from residents, went on walks and learned together about the science of trees. Over the course of 9 meetings across 3 different neighborhoods, we worked with residents, community leaders, municipal officials, storytellers, and researchers to explore the intersections of environmental justice, public health, and tree canopy cover. The final phase of the project included six community tree walks led by community members, with two walks held in each of three neighborhoods: Dorchester, East Boston, and Mattapan. Attendees had the opportunity to hear personal stories about residents’ connection to trees and explore the inequities in tree distribution within their neighborhoods. These walks also served as a platform for strengthening partnerships and developing shared visions for an equitable urban forest that provides environmental, public health, social, and other benefits. We would like to express our deep gratitude to all the community members, partners, and supporters who contributed to the success of the Community Tree Walks, with special thanks to Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Edgewater Neighborhood Association, and Neighborhood of Affordable Housing for partnering with us on the community tree walks, and the EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants Program for supporting the project. We are also so grateful for the partnership with BU URBAN, EmVision, and Everyday Boston to provide space for stories, science, and sharing. In the coming months, we will be sharing videos and maps from these tree walks. Please your eyes open for them. If you you missed the walks, you'll be able to access on your own. |