Re Green Springfield Inc

Through our tree advocacy efforts, Regreen Springfield has collaborated with businesses, community organizations, educational partners and government agencies to promote the reforestation of Springfield, improve growing conditions for trees and engage new allies in tree care and monitoring, education and citizen science.  

We realize that the strength of our city is found in the neighborhoods. With this as the foundation for our work, we have embarked on an effort to ‘regreen’ the city… one tree at at time.

Since Regreen's founding, in June 2011, the day after the devastating EF-3 tornado that affected much of the city, we have worked to help restore the tree canopy, and its associated benefits, through the tornado impact zone.  Nearly 4,000 new trees have been planed along the streets, in parks and in resident's yards, and this work has helped in the healing of these devastated neighborhoods. Our initial work with planting trees has expanded to include education, outreach and advocacy for the greening of our neighborhoods and to develop an informed citizenry of environmentally aware Springfield residents. 

Two fruit orchards have been established in two low-income neighborhoods of the city, providing an important environmental, social and healthy investment in the Six Corners and Indian Orchard neighborhoods.  These orchards were planed by local residents, working along corporate sponsors from the region who have committed to making the orchards a sustainable reality.

Regreen Springfield has also embarked on important scientific research in Springfield's neighborhoods.  Working with the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Massachusetts, the City of Springfield, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Office of Energy and the Environment, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Smithsonian and NASA, Regreen is helping to conduct advanced scientific research on Springfield's environment, mica-climate and resiliency to storm and weather events.

Over 1,100 Regreen volunteers have contributed nearly 9,000 hours of community service work since we have begun our work, and our tree plantings have provided nearly $5 million in residential energy savings to Springfield residents, while over $24 million in direct environmental benefits have been provided by trees planted along streets and public property.  

Our latest endeavor is working with the City's Park Commission and the City Forestry Division to establish "The Arboretum at Forest Park", which will catalog, photograph and add identification tags to over 500 trees in the park, making a 'living and learning classroom' for Springfield's residents, schools and researchers.  A dynamic educational program will be established at Forest Park, complementing ongoing outreach and learning in this great natural treasure... one of New England's greatest public urban open spaces.

We are making a profound difference in our neighborhoods, one tree, and one person at a time.  Help us to continue our work by making a donation of your choice today.  Thank you so much.