As record temperatures gripped the nation this summer, downtown leaders looked to increase shade by expanding the tree canopy. But shade is just one of many benefits of trees, says Chelsea Craig chair of the Morenci, MI, Downtown Development Authority. By creating a green and vibrant environment, the DDA aims to increase foot traffic, attract new businesses, and improve property values, ultimately benefiting the local economy.
The December issue of Downtown Idea Exchange looks at four approaches to increasing tree cover including the large, and small, efforts in Louisville, KY.
Louisville, has been exploring a variety of green solutions to extreme heat and air pollution. The city conducted assessments to determine how to protect and increase tree cover — and where it was needed most. This work culminated in an initiative to create an urban forest master plan. In 2023, the city received a $12.6 million federal grant from the Inflation Reduction Act to plant thousands of trees in underserved neighborhoods.
On a much smaller scale, a Louisville advertising agency marked its 100th year downtown, by giving the city 100 oak trees to be planted in the city center. “Louisville is our home. We’ve been here for 100 years, and we plan on sticking around for at least 100 more,” said President and CEO Todd Spencer. “Anything we can do to help our city thrive is an investment we’re more than happy to make.”
More on enhancing downtown’s tree canopy appears in the December issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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