The mission of Speak for the Trees is to improve the size and health of the urban tree canopy in Boston, with a focus on under-resourced and under-canopied neighborhoods.

 

• We develop and co-create projects at the community level. We believe that change happens when residents have ownership over their spaces and are empowered to take action.

• We view tree planting, care, and stewardship as a way to connect residents to themselves, their neighborhood, and the global environment. We raise awareness about the importance of trees and the role that every resident can take in planting and caring for trees. We partner closely with community organizations to better understand and more deeply engage residents in our work.

• We are committed to partnering with the numerous existing local and national environmental organizations to build a healthy urban forest. Through robust collaborations and shared best practices, Speak for the Trees creates customized programs according to the unique needs, geography, and structure of each neighborhood. We envision a city with a healthy tree canopy that takes into account issues of equity such as diversity, race, socioeconomic status, and geography.

• We advocate for updated municipal policies governing tree planting, neighborhood prioritization, and length of care to ensure trees are efficiently planted and strategically placed in communities that need them most.