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This Holiday Season Brings us Closer to Trees

This holiday season, many of us bring trees directly into our homes and our lives. And this year, although the number of people around your Christmas tree might be smaller, take a moment to reflect on all that our trees provide us: from clean air to a sense of peace and belonging.

If you are so moved, please join us in our campaign to bring more trees and healthier communities throughout Boston through our “Buy a Tree, Plant a Tree” efforts, part of our end of year campaign. Every $50 donation provides a Boston resident with a tree to plant in their yard this spring and fall.

From all of us at Speak for the Trees, Boston - have a safe and restful Christmas.

Trees and Mental Health

Learn from our teen Anna Pham about the mental health benefits of trees.

This fall we had 4 Boston teens continue on with the Teen Urban Tree Corps. The teens interviewed residents of Boston about their feelings towards green spaces, trees, and getting involved and ended their time by analyzing gaps in knowledge in the community to make materials for Speak for the Trees’ use to educate the community. Last newsletter we shared Isabel Grajeda’s presentation on how Boston residents can become involved in making their neighborhoods greener. And in the next few newsletter, we’ll continue to share teens’ work.

This week we have Anna Pham’s infographic about how trees improve mental health. She made it relevant to the isolation that many of us are feeling right now in the midst of a pandemic. Trees are critical for our mental, and the time for trees have never been more important. You can see her infographic through the link above or by clicking on the image.

Events Coming Up in the New Year

Boston Urban Forest Friends:

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Join the Boston Urban Forest Friends on Friday January 8th at 11am for our first meeting of 2021. We'll be joined by Andrew Petit de Mange to reflect on the history of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition. In 2017 Andrew wrote a master's thesis about the "Challenges of Public-Private Partnerships: A Case Study of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition." His work provides insight into the important work of the past and perhaps will provide insight into the work that lies ahead. Please register here in advance to get the Zoom link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you or someone you know would like to be added to our BUFF email list for more reminders and information, you can sign up here.

Boston Park Advocates

On Thursday January 14th from 6-7:30pm, the Boston Park Advocates is hosting an event Green Infrastructure: Climate Resilience Block by Block. Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok (District 8) and Christopher Cook, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston will be speaking about how to improve Boston’s climate resiliency with a focus on where the needs and opportunities are and how to include racial equity and workforce development in the process. Register for the event here and make sure to bring questions.