Planting Resilient Riparian Forests for Water Supply and Public Health in Under-Served Communities

Working with several government, NGO, and community partners, this project will implement a science-based tree planting and forest restoration initiative along a 15-mile stretch of the Blackstone River, one of 14 American Heritage Rivers and home to several drinking water supplies for a downstream city. This initiative will significantly increase tree canopy cover in environmental justice areas of three Rhode Island communities adjacent to the Blackstone by leveraging new tree planting projects via volunteers supported by municipal efforts and NGO’s. The expanded tree canopy cover will reduce heat island impacts and improve public health via reduced air pollution and extreme heat as well as reduced stormwater pollution for drinking water supplies. A comprehensive approach which addresses both upstream and downstream forest canopy is needed including downstream tree planting and canopy retention and upstream resilient forestry practices for small, woodlots. Student researchers in Clark University’s HERO (Human-Environment Regional Observatory) program will conduct extensive modeling and monitoring that will help focus tree planting in areas for maximum reduction of heat island, flooding and stormwater impacts and will set up a monitoring system to document heat, air and water quality results. The initiative will serve as a demonstration project for many other landscapes where health equity, forest resilience, and water supply protection overlap.