Newark Gets $1.2M Grant to Plant More Sidewalk Trees

Newark, NJ – The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on January 18th that they will be granting City Hall a $1.2 million grant to plant more trees on the city’s streets and remove dead or hazardous trees in five target neighborhoods. The grant is part of the DEP’s Natural Climate Solutions program, which aims to restore green spaces, create new ones, and reduce greenhouse gases across the state of New Jersey.

The Canopy Initiative is a long-term project that aims to increase the city’s tree canopy coverage, which will help to improve air quality, reduce urban heat islands, and increase the overall health of the city’s residents.

The grant, which is the second-largest grant for the Natural Climate Solutions program, will be used to plant trees in five target neighborhoods: West Ward, North Ward, South Ward, Central Ward, and East Ward. These areas have been identified as having the lowest tree canopy coverage in the city and will benefit greatly from the increased tree planting. The grant will also be used to remove dead or hazardous trees in these same neighborhoods, which will help to improve the overall safety of the city’s streets.

In addition to the grant, the city’s sustainability office will be working closely with local contractors and community groups to ensure that the trees are planted and maintained properly. This will include working with local schools to educate children about the importance of trees and the environment, as well as working with local businesses to ensure that the trees do not interfere with their operations.

The grant is part of the DEP’s Natural Climate Solutions program, which is giving away $24.3 million to restore green spaces, create new ones, and reduce greenhouse gases across New Jersey, state officials said. Other recipients of the program include Brick and Stafford townships, each received grants of $4.9 million, and the Highland-based American Littoral Society also got a $4.9 million state award.

The city of Newark’s sustainability office is thrilled to receive this grant and is looking forward to working closely with local contractors and community groups to improve the city’s tree canopy coverage. The increased tree planting will not only improve the overall health of the city’s residents but will also help to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and make Newark a more livable and sustainable city for future generations.