A Tree Grows In Rockville — Several, Actually, Thanks To A New Grant
VERNON, CT — A tree grows in Rockville. Ok, several, thanks to a grant secured by the municipal planning department.
The grant $131,415 grant to carry out a tree planting project is part of the Live Here – Love Trees program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Forestry Equity Grants, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the federal Inflation Reduction Act.
It is one of only 10 awarded to urban and community forestry projects across the state.
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Here’s where the trees are going:
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Vernon’s “Live Here – Love Trees” program is intended to expand green spaces through the planting of at least 50 new, native species to increase “tree equity” in the Rockville section of town, which is classified as “economically and environmentally disadvantaged.”
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Said Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne,
“More trees benefits our community in a variety of ways, but none is more important that the positive impact trees have by shading and cooling our neighborhoods,. Thanks to this
grant we will be able add trees to public spaces, and work with residential and commercial property owners to add trees and increase Rockville’s tree canopy.”
Across Connecticut, over the past several years, disease, pests and drought have taken a toll on trees. That trend is even more pronounced in urban areas, where trees are older and more susceptible to pests and disease, officials said. The town has also removed trees because they have fallen victim to the emerald ash borer, spongy moths and drought.
Under the grant, the Vernon officials also plan to provide hands-on tree education, including proper care, maintenance and stewardship of trees, raise awareness of the health and ecosystem benefits of trees and increase access to green spaces for residents and visitors.
Resident homeowners and businesses within the project boundaries are eligible to participate. The project area is north of South Street, east of West Road, south of the Ellington line and west of Grove and Prospect streets. For additional information visit the link listed above, or contact Leslie Campolongo, Town of Vernon Planning Specialist, at 860-870-3635 or by email at [email protected].
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