State awards $632k to support local cooling efforts

The Healey-Driscoll administration on Oct. 31 announced nearly $632,000 in grants from the Cooling Corridors program, which focuses on planting trees in identified hotspots, along popular walking routes, and in Environmental Justice neighborhoods across Massachusetts.

Managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Division of Conservation Services, the funding supports eight projects proposed by municipalities and nonprofit organizations. The projects aim to increase tree canopy and lessen the health impacts of extreme heat, while creating cooler, safer public spaces through increased shade from tree cover. The projects also include comprehensive watering plans, impervious surface removal, and painting surfaces light colors.

Establishing tree cover, including small groups of trees known as micro-forests, can significantly help reduce heat-related health issues during high summer temperatures. In high-density urban areas, just five trees planted per acre can benefit 15 to 25 households.

Grants ranging from $36,600 to $100,000 were awarded to the towns of Chelmsford, Needham and Plymouth, the city of Gloucester, Biomimicry New England (Gloucester), Mystic River Watershed Association (Medford and Melrose), Speak for the Trees (Boston), and Tree Eastie Inc. (East Boston).