In a significant green initiative, New York Attorney General Letitia James, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and Trees New York have rolled out a $750,000 tree-planting program aimed at enhancing the green canopy across NYCHA campuses. Spanning nearly two years, the project, funded by settlements from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), will see the planting of close to 400 trees on public housing properties, as reported yesterday.
Trees for NYCHA has initiated a tree restoration effort in areas that have experienced significant damage from severe weather events, including those affected by Superstorm Sandy. The project includes the involvement of NYCHA residents who are participating in the restoration process. According to NYCHA and Attorney General James, the initiative will be carried out at properties identified as having low tree density.
According to a statement from the Attorney General's office, "Our Trees for NYCHA project is a model of what we can do when we invest directly in our communities." The program was also noted for its broad scope, which includes not only tree planting but also job training and educational components. NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt expressed appreciation to the participating partners and highlighted the importance of workforce and educational investments for NYCHA residents.
Nelson Villarrubia, Executive Director of Trees New York, outlined the various benefits of the newly planted trees in a statement shared by the Attorney General’s office. He noted that the trees can help lower energy use, reduce noise, and manage excess stormwater. Additionally, the tree planting efforts may support the development of workforce skills relevant to environmental and green job sectors.
Breaking down the fiscal structure of the project, it's disclosed that among the settlements funding Trees for NYCHA are: $663,738 from a 2007 American Electric Power Service Corporation Clean Air Act settlement, $59,500 from Reliant Transportation concerning unlawful bus idling in 2023, and $26,762 from Verizon for practices linked to the spread of Legionnaires’ disease in 2022. The initiative entails tree planting, workforce development, tree stewardship, and youth educational engagement, aiming to garner a total planting of 399 trees in and around NYCHA properties, coupled with environmental job skill training in collaboration with Green City Force, as well as tree care and youth activities in surrounding public schools.
Illustrating the broader environmental canvas, NYCHA's distinction as the largest Public Housing Authority and second largest owner of open space in New York City spotlights the authority's pivotal role in the metropolitan green infrastructure, especially for low-income neighborhoods largely populated by communities of color. Trees for NYCHA represents both a reversal of canopy loss trends and an affirmation of residents' roles in the stewardship of their environment. The partnership between NYCHA, Trees New York, and the Attorney General's office is noted with gratitude for the collaborative effort in this conservation endeavor.
