About Our Sponsor

The MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

In Massachusetts, addressing the various negative impacts of low tree canopy within cities falls under the responsibility of our project sponsor, the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The EEA was established in 1975 with an overall mission to “safeguard public health from environmental threats and to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Commonwealth,” which it attempts to accomplish primarily through increased energy efficiency.

The EEA, along with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), has already begun implementing its own tree planting program, Greening the Gateway Cities (GTGC) throughout the state. The program aims to increase tree canopy throughout Massachusetts, in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The MA EEA’s website is: http://www.mass.gov/eea/

Various articles about the GTGC tree planting program can be found at:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/pr-2016/greening-gateway-cities-tree-planting-program-expanded.html

http://www.stateforesters.org/news-events/blog/greening-massachusetts-gateway-cities