Hard work pays off.

The program completed 142 new tree plantings in South Providence through this initiative during their 2022 planting season, surpassing the initiative's goals for the year. Using Tree Equity Score Analyzer, the organization has estimated that these trees, which include 45 unique species, will add nearly three acres to the urban canopy once matured.

To take the burden of tree care off residents, they also incorporated young tree care into all of the plantings, weaving together a network of maintenance and watering services through volunteers, community groups, youth and adult education, jobs training programs and contractors. Tree Equity Score is providing the confidence to ensure trees are planted and cared for where they have the most benefit to the South Providence community.

Dangerously few trees.

In 2022, the organization kicked off a new planting initiative in South Providence, an area fractured by Interstate 95. Here, residents are predominately Black and Latino, many living below the poverty line.

The lack of tree canopy and shade produces some of the most extreme summer temperatures in the city, creating dangerous living conditions for residents.

TACTIC 1

Find unconventional allies.

The organization struck up a relationship with the Providence Housing Authority, one of the neighborhood's main landlords. Their homes occupy some of the lowest scoring parts of the city.

"The Providence Housing Authority already knew their properties lacked trees," says Tharinger.

Tree Equity Score illuminated the possibilities. The Housing Authority saw that the whole area could reap the benefits. Each tree planted on private property is raising the area's scores, improving the quality of life for residents by providing shade and improving air quality.

TACTIC 2

Partner with youth.

360 High School is situated in one of the lowest scoring sections of South Providence. The lack of trees in this area is immediately noticeable. Students and residents are living with the consequences, from extreme heat in the summer to higher rates of asthma.

Students and staff of Green Alliance, an afterschool ecology club at the high school, collaborated with Planting Program staff to develop a neighborhood planting plan. Students led efforts to cross-reference Tree Equity Score maps with outdoor observations. Then the youth took to the wider community, knocking on doors to engage residents in conversations about Tree Equity.

"We got to know the youth," says Tharinger. "They then talked to their families and communities, which helped build community buy-in and generate momentum."

TACTIC 3

Bring funders on board with data.

The organization turned to the Tree Equity Score Analyzer again, this time to gain support from funders and key stakeholders for their new programs. According to Tharinger, their supporters are already sold on trees. The challenge is gaining buy-in on a course of action for Tree Equity. She says human-centered data helped create impetus.

The staff accessed data in the Tree Equity Score Analyzer to demonstrate where trees are needed most. They used the tool to generate metrics on heat severity and potential health benefits such as air quality improvement to communicate the measurable impact to funders.

"Having Tree Equity Score...allows us to more clearly and emphatically make the case for allocating the majority of our funds where they're needed most. We see TESA [Tree Equity Score Analyzer] as key to socializing our plan with stakeholders and funders."

Hard work pays off.

The program completed 142 new tree plantings in South Providence through this initiative during their 2022 planting season, surpassing the initiative's goals for the year. Using Tree Equity Score Analyzer, the organization has estimated that these trees, which include 45 unique species, will add nearly three acres to the urban canopy once matured.

To take the burden of tree care off residents, they also incorporated young tree care into all of the plantings, weaving together a network of maintenance and watering services through volunteers, community groups, youth and adult education, jobs training programs and contractors. Tree Equity Score is providing the confidence to ensure trees are planted and cared for where they have the most benefit to the South Providence community.