Maintain the health of trees to improve urban greenspaces

The City of Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department has a robust and active Urban Forestry Program which aims to maintain and care for the various trees throughout urban greenspaces in the City. In fact, Bloomington was selected as Indianas’ first “Tree City USA” in 1984 and has maintained that designation ever since, indicating the City’s commitment to being a good steward of urban forests.

Maintaining the urban forest is important because it plays a crucial role in mitigating urban heat islands and reducing the impacts of extreme heat. Trees and other vegetation in cities absorb and store carbon, helping to address climate change by lowering atmospheric CO2 levels. Their shade and transpiration also cool the air, significantly reducing temperatures in urban areas, which are typically warmer than their rural counterparts due to the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces like concrete and asphalt. Moreover, urban forests improve air quality by filtering pollutants, contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife, and enhance the mental and physical well-being of city residents. In summary, the preservation and expansion of urban forests are vital for creating sustainable, livable urban environments in the face of growing environmental challenges.

The City was recently awarded $100,000 as part of a competitive grant process—competing with 840 different applicants—from the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. The grant will bolster Bloomington’s Urban Forestry Program’s budget and allow for better tree maintenance.