The City of Pawtucket has released its first-ever Strategic Tree Canopy Plan, developed in partnership with the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) through a USDA Forestry Grant.
This plan reflects over nine months of collaboration between City staff, community partners, and residents to better understand, protect, and grow Pawtucket’s urban forest. Using detailed land cover data, GIC mapped Pawtucket’s tree canopy and highlighted where more trees are needed to reduce flooding, clean the air, and keep neighborhoods cooler.
Pawtucket currently has 21% citywide tree canopy coverage, and the plan sets a goal to maintain that level over the next decade through new tree planting, proactive maintenance, and community engagement. Strategies include:
- Completing and maintaining a citywide tree inventory
- Expanding the Free Tree Program and neighborhood planting events
- Publishing an Urban Forest Management Plan to guide equitable care
-
Launching a public education campaign about the benefits of trees
By caring for its trees, Pawtucket is helping cool neighborhoods, clean the air, and reduce stormwater impacts, building a greener, healthier city for the future. Read the full report here.