North Adams To `Spruce’ Itself Up Via 800 Tree Plantings
According to Berkshire Eagle reporter Gillian Jones, North Adams is about to get a little greener.
The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition has announced a new initiative to plant about 800 trees across private and public property in North Adams.
Organizers hope to see the three-year project take root in the spring.
Before planting, the coalition will host a community meeting to garner public input.
Large swaths of North Adams qualify as environmental justice communities — a designation that will inform local organizers as they set out to plant trees.
Environmental justice is centered around reducing pollution in communities that are disadvantaged either economically — like North Adams — or by having a high population of minorities and non-English speakers.
Mayor Thomas Bernard lauded the program.
"This project provides an incredible opportunity to enhance our residential neighborhoods and our downtown by planting trees," Bernard said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition for leading this effort, which represents a terrific collaboration among local, state and federal agencies; the nonprofit, education and government sectors; and local residents interested in neighborhood improvement, environmental sustainability, resource management, and the natural beauty of our city and our region."