Join us April 20-27 as we celebrate trees

In the spirit of community, Speak for the Trees, Boston, is proud to announce a series of events to celebrate trees and all they give us. We hope you can join us either in-person or online to acknowledge, thank, and honor trees. Trees are critical for our well being; they provide us with clean air, connection, cooler temperatures, beauty, character, a feeling of home, perspective, and strong community.

See our full calendar of events 

Our events include….

• On Thursday, April 18th from 11:00am-2:00pm, Speak for the Trees and WS Development are bagging 600 seedlings that will be distributed throughout Boston during Arbor Week. Click here to sign up to bag seedlings. 
• Kicking off Arbor Week on Saturday, April 20th from 9:00am – 12:00pm, Forest Therapy Guide Tam Willey will lead us in slowing down and awakening our senses during a guided therapeutic experience at the Arnold Arboretum. Register and join Tam for Forest Bathing.
• Also on Saturday, April 20th, Speak for the Trees will be holding a tree care event at Harambee Park from 10:00am-1:00pm. Participants will be looking after the trees that have been planted and picking up litter around the park. Register here. 
• To wrap up this busy Saturday, a Tree ID Walk will be taking place at the East Boston Public Library from 11:30am-1:00pm. Find more information here.
• On Monday, April 22nd, Dr. Christine Carmichael will be giving a talk on her book “Racist Roots” at More Than Words from 5:00pm-7:30pm. Register here.
• On Tuesday, April 23rd, from 6:00pm-7:30pm, Dr. Christine Carmichael will be giving a talk on her book “Racist Roots” at the Urban Farming Institute. Register here.
• On Wednesday, April 24th, Dr. Christine Carmichael will be giving a talk on her book “Racist Roots” at Frugal Bookstore. If you are interested in environmental justice, we highly recommend attending!  Register here.
• On Thursday, April 25th, join us at the Arnold Arboretum where artist Jane Marsching will lead participants in making oracle cards. Ink from Black Cherry trees will be used. Click here to learn more and register for the event.
• Unable to attend Forest Bathing at the Arnold Arboretum? Have no fear because on Saturday April 27th, from 9:00am – 12:00pm, Forest Therapy Guide Tam Willey will lead us in slowing down and awakening our senses during a guided therapeutic experience at Franklin Park. Click here to register.
• Also on Saturday, April 27th, Kari Percival, local author and illustrator will be reading her book How to Say Hello to a Worm at Martin’s Park from 11:30am-1:00pm. Register here for an incredible reading and signed copy. 
• For our final event, on Saturday April 27th from 11:00am-4:00pm, Speak for the Trees is holding an EPA celebration and Tree Giveaway at the Edgewater Food Forest. Interested in attending the celebration and learning more about our Community Tree Walks Project? Register here!
• Unable to attend events but interested in showing your love for trees? “Seeing Trees Through Your Eyes” allows individuals to share the reasons they find trees significant through art. Interested in participating? Find more information and submit your artwork here!

Yes, we’re also giving away free trees and seedlings

On Saturday, April 27th from 11:00am -4:00pm, we’re at Edgewater Food Forest giving away FREE trees for community members to plant at their homes. Sign up for your free sapling in Mattapan today.

We’re also collaborating with community partners across the city for our free seedling giveaways. Find one near you.

An Acknowledgement

As we celebrate trees, we acknowledge that the celebration and reverence of trees did not begin in 1872 with white settlers creating a holiday. The Indigenous people of what is now Boston, Massachusetts, have long celebrated the power and importance of trees and stewarded this land, in part through trees, for hundreds of generations. We have much to learn from the deep knowledge still held within these communities. As we enter a week of national celebration of trees, we extend gratitude for the the opportunity to work and meet on this sacred land. We extend our respect to citizens of these Nations – the Massachusett, the Wampanoag, and Nipmuc Peoples – and their ancestors who have lived here for over five hundred generations, and to all Indigenous people. We also affirm that this acknowledgement is insufficient. It does not undo the harm that has been done and continues to be perpetrated now against Indigenous people, their land, and their water. Our work is committed, in part, to dismantle the systems and heal the pain from this history. In whatever small part, we hope that our work together to celebrate trees can assist in this process.

What is Arbor Day?

When settlers first moved into the Nebraska Territory, the lack of trees was significant and surprising to them. In response, the very first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10th, 1872 with over 1 million trees planted. By 1920, 45 states were celebrating Arbor Day, and today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states. A unique, relevant, and emboldening holiday, Arbor Day is a statement of our hope and commitment to our collective future. And, just like 150 years ago, it remains a time to gather together to celebrate trees – and the larger environment – for their importance.

This Arbor Week, please support our work in growing Tree Equity in Boston

Thank you to our generous sponsors

Thank you for your interest in an internship with Speak for the Trees. We hire 2-3 interns per semester (spring, summer, and fall). You can read more about our internship program on our Opportunities Page and also at MassCEC’s website.

• School-year inters work 12-16 hours per week and are expected to come into the office at least once per week for 3-4 hours.
• Summer interns can work full time, 30-35 hours per week, and are expected to come into the office 2-3 times per week.

There are several restrictions that you should read before applying. Please ensure that you meet the criteria before applying.

In order to apply, please fill out the form below and upload your resume and a cover letter stating your skills and interest in the position. You’ll also need to create an account online at MassCEC website.

Have a passion for the environment? Want to make a difference in your community? Apply to be a team leader!

We’re hiring young adults to work closely with Boston teens to learn about, care for, and advocate for trees in Boston.

Details

Date: mid-June to mid-August, 2024 (exact dates TBD)

Hours per week: ~ 30 hours/week 

Salary: ~ $20 per hour 

Application: Submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format, along with 3 professional references to [email protected] and [email protected]. Please include your full name and “TUTC Team Leader” in the subject line. Application will remain open until position is filled. 

Information about Speak for the Trees

Founded in 2018, Speak for the Trees (SFTT) is an urban and community forestry nonprofit in Boston focused on improving the size, health, and equity of Boston’s urban tree canopy. The organization works closely with community groups and residents to transform the urban landscape, its environment, and the relationships between trees and people as a tool to improve racial, environmental, economic, and social equity in the city.

The Teen Urban Tree Corps (TUTC) is a youth summer employment program for approximately 20 Boston teens (ages 15-18). Through this program, teens learn about the importance of trees in their communities, engage in hands-on learning activities, and receive invaluable skills and connections in the world of urban forestry. Through workshops and field trips, teens receive basic job training in issues related to urban forestry and arboriculture, such as assessing tree health, identifying species, considering site characteristics, logging data, assisting with outreach campaigns, and using technology.

Team Leader Responsibilities

Working under the direction of the SFTT’s education staff, the TUTC Team Leader will supervise TUTC youth participants. For approximately 25 hours per week, the Team Leader will work with and oversee a group of 4-5 teens. Approximately 3 days each week will be spent conducting field work that includes watering, mulching, and weeding of street trees. They will co-lead lessons indoors to the entire group, as well as chaperone the group on field trips and outings. An additional 5-10 hours per week will be spent assisting the Program Coordinator with planning curriculum and preparing material. The Team Leader will be required to complete 2 weeks of training in late June in advance of the beginning of the program.

Date: mid-June to mid-August, 2024 (exact dates TBD)

Hours per week: ~ 30 hours/week 

Salary: ~ $20 per hour 

Essential Functions: 

• Supervise a group of 4-5 TUTC youth in the field 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday
• Attend 2 weeks of onboarding in June
• Assist with orientation of youth participants
• Assist in leading daily youth meetings
• Assist in leading teens on field trips
• Mobilize, monitor, and track TUTC team progress
• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Assist in developing educational activities, workshops, and networking events as needed
• Collaborate with SFTT staff with program evaluation

Requirements: 

• Experience working with diverse communities 
• Experience working with or leading groups of high school youth 
• Ability to work and solve problems independently 
• Willingness to engage with residents and neighborhood representatives
• Commitment to issues of public health, environmental justice, and racial equity 
• Ability to walk 2-3 miles per day
• Ability to lift 50 lbs

Helpful Skills/Experience: 

• Fluency in a language(s) spoken by local immigrant groups is preferred. These include Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, among other languages common in Boston
• Background or interest in environmental or sustainability issues and education 
• Experience in tree care, arboriculture, or landscaping would be an asset

Please Note: In order to be eligible for a program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, applicants will be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format, along with 3 professional references to [email protected] and [email protected]. Please include your full name and “TUTC Team Leader” in the subject line.

Application will remain open until position is filled.

Speak for the Trees is rooted in the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and is committed to building a team that represents diverse backgrounds, perspectives, & skills.

Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Sign on to support this bill

Introduced by Senator Cynthia Creem (S.452) & Representatives Steven Owens & Jennifer Armini (H.869)

Urban forests can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, including increased rainfall, excessive heat, and air pollution. This bill requires that each participating municipality in the Commonwealth has a municipal reforestation plan that the Commonwealth will finance and support with technical assistance. It also has built-in flexibility so that each community can develop a plan that meets its individual needs.

Why we need this bill:

• The Commonwealth’s urban tree canopy cover on public and private land is decreasing.
• Urban trees have been dying for many reasons – gas leaks, air pollution, road salt, drought, soil compaction, and development.
• Communities with the sparsest tree canopy cover are often low-income communities.
• Residents from low-income urban communities are disproportionately affected by excessive heat and poor air quality.
• Healthy tree canopies foster healthy communities, as shown by the successful Greening the Gateway Cities program.

Trees provide valuable ecosystem services that:

• Create shade in the summer, mitigating the heat island effect by lowering temperatures by ten degrees on average, and reducing air conditioning costs.
• Filter the air, removing particulate pollutants that cause respiratory diseases.
• Sequester carbon dioxide above and below ground.
• Reduce stormwater runoff, avoiding flooding and reducing water pollution.
• Reduce soil erosion and remediate soil.
• Provide habitat for urban wildlife, including birds, insects, and pollinators.
• Calm traffic, creating more livable streets.
• Are associated with lower crime rates.
• Boost property values.
• Improve physical and mental health outcomes of the humans who live near them.

Key Components of the Municipal Reforestation Program

Establishes an Urban Forest Advisory Council under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) that:

• Includes members with expertise in urban forestry, arboriculture, landscape architecture, ecology, workforce development, green infrastructure, demand-side energy efficiency management, and climate change resilience and mitigation.
• Provides advice and technical assistance to municipalities, tree-planting organizations, municipal arborists, state foresters, gas and electric companies.

Requires each participating municipality to develop a reforestation plan that includes:

• Inventory of the existing tree canopy cover using scientific best practices.
• Location of optimal sites for planting trees to achieve the goals of the program.
• Analysis of current condition of the tree canopy cover in project sites.
• Lists the benefits of preserving and expanding the tree canopy cover for climate mitigation such as energy consumption, heat island effect, and stormwater reduction.
• Plans for long-term maintenance, preservation, and follow-up care.
• Plans for community engagement in planting and maintaining trees, including workforce development programs.
• Other provisions developed by the Urban Forest Advisory Council.

Requires each participating municipality to prioritize projects in the following order:

• First priority to sites with less than 20 percent tree canopy cover, neighborhoods with high levels of particulate pollutants that affect human health, environmental justice neighborhoods and sites that are deemed to be heat islands.
• Second priority to sites with less than 40 percent tree canopy cover.
• Third priority to sites with less than 60 percent canopy cover.

Provides funding from the following sources:

• Funding for the Program from appropriations, bond proceeds, or other funds authorized by the Legislature, as well as funds from public and private sources, including gifts, grants, and donations.
• Funds to be distributed to participating municipalities 3 years after the enactment of the bill.
• Funds based on a formula developed by the Urban Forest Advisory Council in consultation with Secretaries of EEA, DOT, and A & F that includes road mileage, population, number of employed individuals, number of environmental justice criteria, and percent of tree canopy cover of 20 percent or less, with a weighted calculation for this factor.

Read and download a full fact sheet.

Interested in environmental justice, trees, and community?

Join our Teen Urban Tree Corps program

Are you a Boston teen interested in learning how to improve Boston’s environment? Join our Teen Urban Tree Corps this summer to care for Boston’s trees, learn about careers in forestry, go on field trips to some of Boston’s best green spaces, and more!

Details

For Team Leaders:

Speak for the Trees is actively recruiting for Team Leaders. Working under the direction of the SFTT’s education staff, the TUTC Team Leader will supervise TUTC youth participants. For approximately 25 hours per week, the Team Leader will work with and oversee a group of 4-5 teens. Approximately 3 days each week will be spent conducting field work that includes watering, mulching, and weeding of street trees. They will co-lead lessons indoors to the entire group, as well as chaperone the group on field trips and outings. An additional 5-10 hours per week will be spent assisting the Program Coordinator with planning curriculum and preparing material. The Team Leader will be required to complete 2 weeks of training in late June in advance of the beginning of the program.

Date: mid-June to mid-August, 2024 (exact dates TBD)

Hours per week: ~ 30 hours/week

Salary: ~ $20 per hour

For Teens:

• Late June, 2024 to Mid August, 2024 (exact dates TBD), 7 weeks total
• 25 hours/week
• $15/hour
• Outdoor work includes tree care (watering and mulching)
• Field trips to the Harvard Forest, Arnold Arboretum, Spectacle Island, and more
• Activities include tree identification, tree climbing, and invasive species removal

Please note, this position is only open to Boston residents between the ages of 14-18. Apply below.

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase the size, health, and equity of the urban tree canopy in Boston through engagement, outreach, education, and advocacy. We partner with government agencies, community organizations, corporations, and residents to plant trees, increase community engagement, improve tree policies, and raise awareness about the importance of trees, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low tree coverage. Our aim is to support the city’s efforts, as mapped out in its Urban Forest Plan, to improve the city’s urban forest in the face of climate change.

We are rooted in four core values:

1. Urban resilience is critical in this era of global climate change.
2. All Boston residents deserve a clean and healthy urban environment.
3. Green communities are the backbone of safe spaces, social cohesion, and livable neighborhoods.
4. All residents play an important role in solving local and global environmental challenges and we celebrate the inclusion of a diversity of stakeholders from all of Boston’s neighborhoods.

Board Expectations 

• Leverage connections, networks, and partnerships to help SFTT achieve its mission.
• Identify, secure, and oversee additional financial support.
• Serve as an ambassador and representative of SFTT to promote the organization’s mission.
• Have a passion for issues of urban environmental resilience, justice, and public health. 
• Recruit new board members who have skills and backgrounds that serve the organization’s needs.
• Help locate and engage like-minded individuals, organizations, and academic institutions. 
• Complete a three (3) year term (with a maximum of 2 terms per member).

Board Duties

• Provide assistance by participating in at least one committee
• Provide expertise and assistance on ad-hoc committees and in projects, as needed. 
• Participate in 90-minute quarterly meetings (virtual until public health guidelines allow in person.)
• Participate in inter-quarterly 45 minute conference calls.
• Contribute financially at a level of personal significance.
• In conjunction with the board, assist in raising 10% of annual budget (~$100,000 of $1 million dollar annual budget).

Desired Qualifications

We seek board candidates who embody the following characteristics and skills:

• Passion and influence to help SFTT add scale to its programs and reach.
• Experience in strategy development, accounting, financial management, grant-writing, marketing/branding, long-term budget planning, fundraising, and event coordination.
• Experience in climate justice and environmental activism.
• Knowledge and expertise in forestry and/or arboriculture.
• Strong professional and personal networks at the community level.
• Previous experience as a board member of a non-profit, but all candidates will be considered.

Interested candidates should send an email with a recent resume to [email protected].