麻州長Healey簽2項行政命令 訂立全美第一個長期生物多元化目標 禁單次使用塑膠瓶

 Governor Healey Celebrates Climate Week by Establishing Nation’s First Long-term Biodiversity Goals, Single-Use Plastic Bottle Ban 

Amidst a global biodiversity crisis, Massachusetts to become first state in the country to develop biodiversity goals to 2050; Separate executive order ends state agencies use of single use plastic bottles 

 

WESTBOROUGH – In celebration of National Climate Week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed two key executive orders to address climate change and sustainability. The first executive order directs the state to develop biodiversity goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. Massachusetts is the first state to set metrics out to 2050, and the first on the East Coast to include coastal and marine biodiversity. The second executive order bans the executive branch agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles, a key contributor to ocean pollution.  

Healey first announced the Executive Orders earlier this week at the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting, which was focused on how to “keep going” in challenging times and to build a stronger future for us all. Governor Healey’s remarks were part the session "Tides Turning: How to Accelerate Sustainable Practices for Ocean Conservation” and are available to watch here. 

 

“Massachusetts has a long history of being first in the nation, and we’re proud to be the first to set long-term targets for biodiversity and to ban state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our state is home to precious natural resources – from our towering forests, numerous lakes and ponds, vast network of rivers, and beautiful marshland, estuaries, and abundant ocean – that clean our air, power our economy, and serve as a home to hundreds threatened and rare species. These lands define the culture of our state, and today, we are taking bold action to preserve them for generations to come.”    

 

“The importance of sustaining and restoring our state’s biodiversity cannot be overstated,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By taking action now, we can ensure that we are balancing development, climate action, and conservation in a thoughtful way. We can’t have strong communities without tackling waste and protecting our natural resources.” 

 

Biodiversity Executive Order 

 

Massachusetts has spent decades protecting natural resources. This executive order directs the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to conduct a review of existing biodiversity conservation efforts and establish goals and strategies to achieve a nature-positive future for Massachusetts in 2030, 2040, and 2050. Goals will focus on sustaining a full array of Massachusetts plants, animals, and habitats to survive and flourish while providing equitable access to nature and ensuring a climate-resilient landscape for the future.     

 

The 2019 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimated that three-quarters of the world’s land surface and 66 percent of its oceans had been significantly altered, and one million species face extinction within decades. Climate change is accelerating this decline, seriously affecting public health, the economy, food security, and emissions reductions. More than half the world’s total gross domestic product is “moderately or highly dependent” vulnerable to biodiversity loss.  

 

Massachusetts’ oceans, rivers, forests, marshes, and conserved lands are critical natural assets for the regional economy and reducing the effects of climate change. Threats to biodiversity include habitat loss and fragmentation, infrastructure, pollution, climate change impacts, and invasive species. Currently, there are over 430 species listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Protecting biodiversity is a long-term investment in the health, economy, and climate resilience of Massachusetts.  

 

“Our forests and oceans are some of the most important tools for climate action that we have,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our natural resources are a climate solution by design, and it is incumbent upon us to protect them. This framework will also ensure that environmental justice communities can access these green spaces and outdoor recreation as the weather gets more extreme.” 

 

“Already we’ve seen impacts to species and their habitats to species and their habitats across Massachusetts,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Without setting these targets, we risk further erosion of these natural lands and waters and the species that call them home. The ripple effects on public health, the economy, and food security could be profound. The Department of Fish and Game is proud to be leading this groundbreaking initiative, and we aspire to be a national example for action on biodiversity.”   

 

Single-Use Plastic Executive Order   

 

The executive order bars all executive offices and agencies in Massachusetts from purchasing single-use plastic bottles under 21 fluid ounces, effective immediately and except in cases of emergency.  

 

Most single-use plastic bottles are made from petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate in refineries that run on fossil fuels. Plastic bottles require as much as 400 years to break down into microplastic that pollutes and leaches toxins. Americans throw away about 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, and scientists have estimated there may be more plastic than fish by weight in the ocean by 2050. 

 

“At every step of the production process, single-use plastic is polluting our communities and harming our wildlife,” said first-in-the-nation Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “Massachusetts is a proud coastal state, and we will not stand by while plastic brings harm to our ocean and the communities that rely on it. My office looks forward to implementing this bold vision for a whole-of-government approach to reducing waste and protecting our natural resources.” 

昆士市將翻修華樂斯頓公墓退伍軍人區

(Boston Orange編譯) 昆士市長柯奇 (Thomas P. Koch) 宣佈，將翻修華樂斯頓山公墓 (Mount Wollaston Cemetery) 的退伍軍人區，以持續改善公墓。

翻修工程包括重新分級路段、鋪草皮，做適當標記。昆士市政府籲請民眾在這段期間，別在墳墓上種秋季花朵或放置物品。

華樂斯頓山公墓正在海街(Sea)入口處施工，包括新的入口通道以及重新排列退伍軍人區戰爭紀念碑，安裝新旗桿，翻修歷史悠久的大砲。

明年春天，將安裝並落成一座新紀念碑，紀念從海灣戰爭 (Gulf War)以來迄今曾服役的昆西市烈士。

柯奇市長表示，以最尊崇的敬重來紀念這許多已故退伍軍人是很重要的。由於退伍軍人區的許多標記已經下沉了，需要重新安置。 而且隨著下沉，坡度也改變了，我們也想要改善這些。一旦坡度確定了，會重新安放標記並使之與地面齊平，然後種植草皮。他相信一旦完工，會很漂亮，也才是向那些曾經為國服務者獻上適當的尊敬。

 自然資源專員戴夫·墨菲 (Dave Murphy) 表示，在他們做退伍軍人區的必要翻修時，希望逝者家屬合作，避免在墓地種植任何植物或安放文物。

第2屆波士頓台灣夜市遊人如織 群眾排長龍買車輪餅

主辦單位合影。　左起，僑教中心主任潘昭榮，華商會翁偉健、陳文珊、紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，”
 You & Me” 樂團黃崇校，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，華商會湯瑞雲，麥德福市議員曾御宸，波士頓市議員
Ruthzee Louijeune，華商會會長黃展唐，華商會理事馮武成、譚達兒、余麗媖，伍偉業，
劍橋市警察梅定安這天也來當義工。(周菊子攝)

 

華商會理事余麗媖(中)和陳文珊（右一）請駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏（左二）、
副處長施維鈞（右二），波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮參觀攤位。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 吃車輪餅，大腸包小腸，聽 “你和我樂團 (You & Me Music)”唱”飄向北方”，在踏進波士頓華埠第2屆「臺灣夜市」的逾千名來賓中，臺灣人滿心歡喜，唯一感嘆是，小吃不夠多，而且”怎麼找不到肉圓"?

駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏（中）謝謝波士頓市議員Ruthzee
Louijeune (右)和麥德福市議員曾御宸 (左)出席。(周菊子攝)

            波士頓華埠商會和波士頓僑教中心合作的這第2屆「臺灣夜市」活動，儘管因為颶風來襲，遭遇波士頓市政府下令改期，延後一天舉行，打亂了所有安排，但奇蹟似的，9月17日這天，一切如常，遊客如織，街道上人群摩肩擦踵，熱鬧非常。

            開幕式由華商會的譚達兒、陳文珊、陳李佩擔任司儀。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏感謝華商會出動那麼多義工來辦這活動，請遊人盡情享受。波士頓華商會會長黃展唐感謝人們來逛臺灣夜市，希望明後年繼續舉辦，把華埠生意帶旺。

司儀譚達兒(右一)、陳李佩(左二)請華商會會長黃展唐(右二)致詞。
左一為華商會理事陳文珊。(周菊子攝)

            波士頓市不分區市議員 Ruthzee Louijeune，麥德福 (Medofrd) 市議員曾御宸這2名嘉賓，應邀為活動開幕致詞。

            Ruthzee Louijeune說了一句中文的” 你好” ，表示這是自己第二次來參加。她稱許華埠領袖們為辦這活動所付出的努力，直言也是因為這，受邀後竭力排開其他事務來出席這活動。

波士頓華橋文教中心的攤位由海外青年文化大使介紹臺灣民俗文化。(周菊子攝)

            今年的”臺灣夜市”雖然有7個攤位，因為報名遲了，市政府沒批准，也有波士頓慈濟因為活動時間衝撞，實在排不開，仍然擺出了十幾個攤位。

            華商會擺賣連殼耶子水和豆漿，波士頓僑教中心派出鄭玉春、陳玉瑛等志工陪著波士頓海外青年文化大使做台灣民俗介紹，紐英崙至孝篤親公所擺出華埠移民歷史圖片展，紐英倫客家鄉親會有劉秀春，畢儒宗這2

波士頓北一女校友會和政大校友會合作擺攤，梁雅惠(右一起)準備了超多
精心設計的手工藝品，還示範做新式月餅，有北一女校友會副會長林麗珠，
曾任波士頓市公校國際語主任的林遊嵐、陳惠貞等人招呼攤位。(周菊子攝)

名正副會長率大隊現場販售麻糬，波士頓北一女校友會和政大及成大校友會攜手擺出的攤位，由梁雅惠親自上陣展售臺灣圖案的裝飾配件，新式月餅，林麗珠、林遊嵐，許翠玲支援，璞石中華文化工作室有馮文鸞率王明德、許淑芬，黃明嘉等人擺賣中式服裝，筆墨，筷子禮包，Alex Woo氣球藝術，以及賣臺灣溫泉包，龍蝦捲、烤魷魚，煎餅，紋身貼等攤位。

           

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右三)來為紐英倫客家鄉親會攤位打氣。
右起，曾秀梅、劉秀春、廖朝宏、鄭玉春，劉悅慧、王豫靈，
畢儒宗，蔡仲禮，許炳煌。(周菊子攝)

許淑芬笑說，這天她膝蓋包著固定條，白天在中文學校教了一天課，傍晚還是馬不停蹄地趕到波士頓華埠來擺攤，全因為余麗媖大姊叫到，不來不好意思。

            攤位中最受歡迎，大排長龍的首推”臺灣車輪餅”，一個車輪餅賣5元，卻仍然大排長龍。群眾中有人說，隊伍一度排到有近百人那麼長。由張惠雯率領的” 腸腸久久” 這大腸包小腸攤位，也是收錢收到手軟。從華森市趕來擺攤的Mister Montu，店東先生曾任紐英崙中文夏令營營長，這家揉和羊角麵包和華夫餅的新式糕點，也一早售罄，只好由店東女兒拿著店鋪二維碼，站在攤位前當廣告牌。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左三)和副處長施維鈞(左一)到璞石中華文化
工作室攤位打招呼。右二起，馮文鸞，李明雀，王明德等。(周菊子攝)

            “臺灣夜市” 還有表演環節，由“你和我樂團 (You & Me Music)”現場樂隊伴奏，歌手演唱，中華民俗藝術工作坊跳舞、扯鈴。

中華民俗藝術工作坊的舞蹈表演，圍觀者眾。(周菊子攝)

            在黃美晴、張昆親自率隊下，中華民俗藝術工作坊表演了鑼鼓喧天，春分花語，從零開始，下雨天，夢幻舞鈴，月光，歡樂年年，武林傳奇等8個節目，美麗的舞蹈服裝，精彩的表演，把幾百人吸引到”陳毓禮及黃杏蓉公園”前圍觀，大拍手掌。駐足觀眾中還有好些洋人。

            ” You & Me” 樂團在黃崇校和顧宗浩分頭協調下，陣容更是堅強。從蔡佩姍主持，李春男負責音效，陳瑩璇、劉雙洲，以及林美均為朱冠蓉伴奏，顧宗浩為金晶、胡凱傑、Chris等人以吉他伴奏的演唱中，一連演唱了”

You & Me Music的劉雙洲、陳瑩璇演唱。(周菊子攝)

好膽你就來，山丘，女爵，愛很簡單，魚，漂向北方，溫柔，製造浪漫，星星數不清，陽光宅男，晴天，你啊、你啊，眞心英雄，你要不要吃哈密瓜，遠行，回到過去，沙灘，夏天的風，Aim High，醉後 喜歡我，流沙，我是一隻魚” 等23首歌曲，領略到年輕一代臺灣人的不同曲調。

小朋友也來演唱。(周菊子攝)

            第一次參加”臺灣夜市”的前新英格蘭臺灣商會理事林義煌夫婦說，人很多，好熱鬧，這種活動應該多辦，只可惜夜市中食品攤位太少，隊伍排得太長，讓他們還是得找家餐廳祭五臟廟，希望明年可以買到肉圓。

(僑務電子報:  https://ocacnews.net/article/350709?cid=2 )

(更新版)

臺灣車輪餅攤位是臺灣夜市中隊伍排得最長的攤位。(周菊子攝)

MAYOR WU, SECRETARY ED AUGUSTUS, AND MASSHOUSING CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF B’NAI B’RITH HOUSING’S PARKWAY 1208 IN WEST ROXBURY

MAYOR WU, SECRETARY ED AUGUSTUS, AND MASSHOUSING CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF B’NAI B’RITH HOUSING’S PARKWAY 1208 IN WEST ROXBURY 60 new units of income-restricted housing marks the first construction of affordable housing in West Roxbury since 2013

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 20, 2023 -  Mayor Michelle Wu, B’nai B’rith Housing, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), MassHousing, local elected officials, and West Roxbury residents today celebrated the Grand Opening of Parkway 1208. Parkway 1208 is a new energy-efficient and transit-oriented affordable housing development with 60 new income-restricted apartments for individuals, families, and older Bostonians in West Roxbury.  The acquisition of the land for Parkway 1208 at 1208D VFW Parkway, which facilitated the development, was made possible by the Boston-based non-profit B’nai B’rith Housing. The completion of this project marks the first construction of affordable residences in West Roxbury since 2013. The neighborhood of West Roxbury has 10 percent of its housing stock as  income-restricted housing and 38 percent rental compared to the citywide average of 19 percent and 65 percent respectively.  “The Parkway 1208 development is a model for creating income-restricted housing across the City of Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Grand Opening for Parkway 1208 shows what’s possible when we collaborate with residents, our partners, and different sectors and levels of government to create much-needed income-restricted housing in our neighborhoods.” Among these 60 units, 45 are available to households earning less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), including units reserved for low-income households transitioning out of homelessness. An additional 15 units are designated for households earning less than 90 percent of AMI. "This development, which is the first income-restricted housing created in this neighborhood in years, signifies not only a significant step forward in addressing Boston's housing needs but also a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “Parkway 1208 offers affordable homes, modern amenities, and a vibrant community space, ensuring that individuals and families of all backgrounds can thrive and create community in West Roxbury. This achievement underscores our collective determination to make housing accessible and welcoming for all, setting a precedent for the future of affordable housing in our city." The Parkway 1208 development meets the LEEDS Gold standards and has energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, Energy Star-rated appliances, and environmentally friendly design features including raised garden beds, green spaces with walking paths and bike storage.  Situated conveniently near shopping centers and a range of cultural and outdoor amenities, including the nearby Millennium Park and the West Roxbury MBTA Commuter Line commuter rail stop and bus routes, this new development prioritizes walkability and accessibility.   This new community also features an on-site gym, dog washing room, elevator, central air conditioning, an on-site laundry facility, a spacious beautiful community room with a state-of-the-art kitchen and comfortable sitting area on the first floor, and a courtyard with an ADA compliant play structure. “When the first residents moved into B’nai B’rith Housing’s newest property Parkway 1208, we felt both pride and humility,” said Susan Gittelman, Executive Director of B’nai B’rith Housing. “Our team is proud to do our part to address the housing crisis in the Commonwealth. And we are grateful to the many partners who made this new development possible.” Parkway 1208 was made possible through the crucial financial support of several organizations, including the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MassHousing, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, MassHousing, Eastern Bank, and Boston Financial, serving as the low-income housing tax credit investor. “The housing affordability crisis has affected all regions of Massachusetts. Low- and middle-income families in Greater Boston have been especially squeezed by rising rents,” said EOHLC Secretary Ed Augustus Jr. “Parkway 1208 in West Roxbury is an incredible development that will provide 60 new, much-needed income-restricted units for Boston families, seniors, and the city’s workforce. EOHLC was proud to support this project in partnership with Mayor Wu, B’nai B’rith Housing, and MassHousing.” The new Parkway 1208 development fully embraces the principles of smart growth and transit-oriented development in Boston. Of the $236 million committed by Mayor Wu in ARPA funds for housing $58 million is designated for affordable homeownership development and financial assistance for first-generation homebuyers; $48 million for strategic acquisitions to combat displacement and create deeply affordable homeownership on City-owned land; $20 million for a pioneering pilot program for energy retrofits in triple-decker and other multi-family homes while maintaining affordability; $19 million to develop new permanent supportive housing with specialized services for people with substance use disorder; $20 million to sustain low-threshold shelter sites in response to the intersecting crises of unsheltered homelessness and substance use with co-occurring mental illness; and $32 million for upgrades to Boston Housing Authority properties.  “It is exciting to see the completion of 60 brand new, mixed-income apartment homes where residents will be able to have housing stability and economic opportunity in a neighborhood where affordable rental housing is hard to find,” said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. “B’nai B’rith Housing was focused on creating apartments with multiple bedrooms for families, and MassHousing was pleased to be part of that effort with our public and private-sector partners.”  Mayor Wu previously submitted bills to the Massachusetts Legislature focused on expanding upon the work that Boston has done to address the region's affordable housing crisis and keep families in Boston. She proposed new and strengthening current tools to protect tenants from eviction and unreasonable increases in rent. The legislation submitted seeks to help tenants, particularly older adults, remain in their homes, and create additional funding for affordable housing developments, such as the Parkway 1208. The bills also aim to leverage Boston's prosperity using the transfer fee that will fund affordable homeownership opportunities to create generational wealth for more individuals.

趙寶玲 「聞曲憶情」演唱會有專業人才加持 如明星登場

趙寶玲音樂會演出謝幕。 (周菊子攝)

趙寶玲盛裝演出。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州阿靈頓報導)有志者，事竟成。助人者人恆助之。大波士頓的「聞曲憶情」寶玲師生及歌友音樂之夜，由一眾專業及業餘人士簇擁、支持趙寶玲，在阿靈頓 (Arlington)的Regent劇院的演出，盛大如明星專場演唱會。

趙寶玲(右)深情望向丈夫周哲民。 (周菊子攝)

              趙寶玲是山東人，在廣東長大，來到波士頓後，和丈夫周哲民一頭栽進工作中，之後創業，期間歷經起伏震盪，好不容易捱到事業有成，家庭及工作都穩定後，她才重拾起自己對音樂的愛好。

              她說，其實她也不知道是從什麼時候開始，音樂悄悄進入了她的生命，或許是受她父親和母親的影響，也或許是年輕時，偶而聽到鄧麗君的一段樂曲開始，音樂成了她生命中的重要一環，開心時哼唱，傷感時更是藉歌抒發，她對音樂的熱愛讓她不但用音樂激勵自己，也想用音樂照亮別人。

趙寶玲總共換了9套歌衫。(周菊子攝)

              趙寶玲因此不但加入了「波城飛歌俱樂部」，「波士頓星樂團」，還基於個性上的執著，以及好還要更好的認真，自己私下敦請學有專長的聲樂家教發聲，練唱腔，經常和愛歌同好東征北討的到處參加公益演出，為社會盡心意。

趙寶玲。(周菊子攝)

              在她想要用音樂記錄一生時，她平時的樂於助人，讓她得到身邊所有好友的支持，就連曾在央視做過許多大型晚會的製作人，都願意當她這場演唱會的導演，還從頭到尾的幫她把關一應細節，連演唱那些曲目，拍什麼樣內容的視頻片段，哪件衣服配哪首歌，都提點，演出彩排每個環節幾分幾秒，哪個工作人員該管哪個崗位，全都嚴格要求，甚至場刊介紹文字，她也幫忙指正，於是才有了9月16日晚在阿靈頓劇院這種專業場所推出的一場明星級的演出。

合影。(周菊子攝)

              曾是廣東音樂曲藝團琵琶獨奏演員，得名列廣州市十大傑出青少年藝術工作者的甄若茅，這天和已擴大到十幾人的樂隊，穿上星光閃閃的演出服，在台上為趙寶玲音樂會的演出，一曲一曲的伴奏。

              已有約90名歌友的波城飛歌俱樂部，這天也有將近20人歌舞登場助陣。

謝幕後眾人爭相合影。(周菊子攝)

              曾獲奧地利薩爾堡國際音樂比賽聲樂組第一名，有上海音樂學院及Longy音樂學院碩士學位的萬兵傳，黃靖懿，畢業於Longy音樂學院的桑永驥，以及本身是化學工程師，卻酷愛古典音樂，和趙寶玲已相識十餘年的周軍培，這天也都義無反顧地來支援演出。

              他們從”茉莉花”，”我等到花兒都謝了、”紅脣綠酒”、”女人心 ”、”總有一天 ”、”九兒 ”、”Besame Mucho ”、”美麗的西班牙女郎 ”、”Concerto Pour Une Voix ”、”秋風詞 ”、唱到”龍船調 ”。曲目非常多樣化。

甄若茅(左三)一家人都來捧場。

              當然整個演唱會的最高潮，還是趙寶玲的丈夫周哲民出場獻花，趙寶蓮貼心的立刻脫下五吋高跟鞋，送吻，讓台下眾人為她倆走過41年的婚姻感到溫馨。 (更新版)

波城飛歌俱樂部演出助陣。(周菊子攝)

星樂隊和趙寶玲合影。(周菊子攝)

萬兵傳、趙寶玲，黃靖懿。(周菊子攝)

桑永驥也加入了星樂隊。(周菊子攝)

趙寶玲。(周菊子攝)

美國農業部撥款2200萬元給麻州擴大綠色空間

Massachusetts Receives More than $22 Million from USDA to Expand Access to Trees and Green Space 

  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts communities have received more than $22 million in funding from the USDA Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program. The funding comes from a competitive grant program designed to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in communities across the country. The projects include plans to plant more than 15,000 trees in Springfield, fund an urban forestry fellowship in Lynn, improve public health for vulnerable populations in Fall River through an expanded tree canopy, and advance social inclusion and workforce development through community forestry in the Boston neighborhoods of Chinatown, East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. 

 

“We are incredibly excited to see Massachusetts cities and towns receive the funding they need to proactively expand green space in environmental justice communities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are committed to continuing to partner with these municipalities as they put their federal money to work improving public health and increasing access to opportunity for the people of Massachusetts.” 

 

“This summer’s extreme temperatures have shown that our cities and towns are on the front lines of responding to the impacts of climate change. We’re proud to see these communities leading the charge in implementing climate resilient measures that will ensure a healthier, more equitable Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “Congratulations to the communities receiving this important funding to support their urban forestry programs.” 

 

“The funding provided through the Urban and Community Forestry program is critical for these cities and towns to address some of their most pressing needs around public health, workforce development and climate resiliency through increasing access to green space,” said Director of Federal Funds & Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “The Commonwealth looks forward to continuing our aggressive pursuit of federal funding opportunities that will deliver for communities all across Massachusetts.” 
 

Massachusetts Projects Awarded Funding by the USDA: 

 

• City of Boston- Healthy Places Boston: Growing an Accessible, Inclusive and Resilient Urban Forest 

• City of Holyoke- Urban Forest Equity Plan Implementation 

• City of Fall River- Fall River Urban Tree Canopy Expansion Initiative 

• City of Haverhill- Investing in Haverhill's Urban Forest with Equity and Resilience 

• City of Lynn- Urban Forestry Fellowship: Supporting a Healthy Tree Canopy 

• City of Quincy- Urban Forest Climate Resiliency & Equity Plan 

• City of Watertown- Tree Planting 

• Springfield Forestry Division- Springfield "Speaks for the Trees" Revitalizing Urban Tree Canopy in Underserved Communities 

• Town of Southbridge- Implement an Urban and Community Forestry Program 

The nine Massachusetts grant awards are part of more than $1 billion in funding the US Department of Agriculture awarded to 385 applicants nationwide. The investment was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden in 2022 and is one of many programs available to support projects that will advance priorities for statewide decarbonization and climate resilience.