Tree Planting for Cooler Summers and Cleaner Air in Partnership with a Community Hospital, Outpatient Center and Land Trusts to Improve Health Conditions for High Risk Populations in Two Small, Low-income Cities

The Massachusetts communities of Ware and Southbridge have significantly above average incidence of respiratory conditions among their populations and low existing tree canopy cover. In a unique partnership among cities, community health care facilities, grassroots neighborhood centers, and regional land trusts, this project will focus on cost-effective and spatially-strategic community tree planting to cool low income neighborhoods, shade walking routes, and filter pollution near schools. In so doing, it meets several high priorities for Massachusetts’ Forest Action Plan. As an extension of their ongoing research in Massachusetts Gateway Cities, Clark University HERO Fellows will be responsible for the placement and maintenance of temperature and air quality monitoring equipment, as well as data analysis and reporting.