A healthy urban forest ecosystems improves the quality of the water we drink, the air we breathe, the stability of our neighborhoods, and our sense of community and individual pride.
The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry Urban and Community Forestry crews, hired within local communities, plant trees in target neighborhoods to increase tree canopy cover for environmental and energy efficiency benefits.
Video: Greening the Gateway Cities
Skip this video Greening the Gateway Cities.Target Areas
This program, concentrated in Environmental Justice neighborhoods, targets areas within gateway cities that have lower tree canopy, older housing stock, higher wind speeds, and a larger renter population. GGCP is currently active in Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee , Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield and Westfield, Barnstable, Everett, Malden, Worcester, and Taunton.
Additional Resources
Join the Team
You can make a difference in your community by joining the Greening the Gateway Cities planting team. Increasing the urban canopy will help save energy, protect air and water quality, and improve overall community health.
Apply to join the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Greening the Gateway Cities urban tree planting program!
Tree planting laborer opportunities are available for the spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) planting seasons.
For more information, contact:
Kelly Meiler, (508) 688-0889, Kelly.meiler@mass.gov
GGCP Grant Opportunities
The FY25 grant grants have been awarded, check back this winter for FY26 opportunities.
Non-Profit Partnership Grant
- Grants to support non-profits in their work to communicate GGCP objectives, raise awareness of the benefits of urban trees, and encourage residents to participate in tree planting.
- Eligible Applicants: Qualified non-profit 501(c)3 organizations
- Maximum Award: $35,000
Tree Planting Implementation Grant
- Grants will support tree planting, tree watering & maintenance, and other related activities that have a measurable impact on the urban canopy in Gateway Cities.
- Grants to support municipalities and/or non-profit organizations, as they identify and prepare urban areas for tree planting in coordination with DCR.
- Eligible Applicants: Gateway City municipalities and qualified non-profit 501(c)3 organizations
- Maximum Award: $150,000
Additional Resources
Contact
For more information, you can contact:
Hilary Dimino - Division of Conservation Services
(857) 207-1912
Contact Your Local GGCP Office
The GGCP operates all year long. Call your local GGCP office to determine if you are eligible to receive free trees or to schedule an appointment with a DCR Forester. Leave your name, address (including city), and telephone number.
Brockton (617) 626-1503
Chelsea 617) 626-1459
Chicopee (617) 626-1473
Everett (617) 626-1459
Fall River (617) 626-1571
Fitchburg (617) 626-1514
Haverhill (617) 626-1516
Holyoke (617) 626-1473
Lawrence (617) 826-5724
Leominster (617) 626-1514
Lowell (617) 626-1516
Lynn (617) 626-1502
Malden (617) 626-1456
New Bedford (617) 626-1571
Quincy (617) 626-1570
Revere (617) 626-1459
Salem (617) 626-1502
Springfield (413) 736-3111
Taunton (617) 626-1503
Westfield (617) 626-1473
Worcester (617) 626-1458
Contact for Greening the Gateway Cities Program
Phone
Eastern Region
Western Region
South Region