Cleveland Tree Coalition Distributes Over $600,000 to Support Urban Tree Planting

CLEVELAND, OH — The city is set to see nearly 500 new trees planted over the next year, thanks to a major funding boost from the Cleveland Tree Coalition. Thirteen local organizations have been awarded a total of $660,928.86 as part of the Coalition’s Fall 2024 Grant Program. The funds will be used to plant and maintain trees in neighborhoods across Cleveland, continuing efforts to restore the city’s urban tree canopy.

The Coalition, which received 15 applications totaling over $800,000 in requests, made its final selections with an eye toward community impact and environmental sustainability. The grant recipients will lead tree planting efforts in various neighborhoods and public spaces, from residential streets to cemeteries and schoolyards. Downtown Cleveland Inc., one of the organizations receiving funding, will plant 36 trees in key locations such as Public Square and along East 9th Street, while MetroWest Community Development will plant 50 trees along W 65th Street between Clark and Storer Avenues.

“We are grateful to our funders and to the many partners that make this possible,” said Sara Tillie, the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s newly appointed director. “This is the largest request for funds we have received in the history of the grant program. Growing our urban tree canopy is important for the health of all Clevelanders and the health of our community.”

Several notable organizations are participating in this tree-planting effort. The Evangelical Environmental Network, for instance, will maintain 137 trees in areas like Lake Pool Park and Lake Avenue, while University Circle Inc. will plant 15 new trees at Wade Oval. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy, another key partner, will contribute to the greening of Wilson Elementary School with 75 new trees.

Funding for these efforts comes from several key sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NOPEC, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Cleveland Foundation, and the Arbor Day Foundation. The Coalition aims to continue strengthening Cleveland’s urban forest through collaboration and community involvement.

“Trees are vital to the infrastructure of cities,” added Tillie, “They help reduce heat island effects, improve stormwater management, enhance air quality, and provide habitats for wildlife like birds, small mammals, and pollinators.”

The Cleveland Tree Coalition, a collaborative group of public, private, and community stakeholders, has partnered with the City of Cleveland to rebuild its urban forest. The coalition’s ultimate goal is to restore Cleveland’s reputation as the “Forest City,” promoting sustainability, equity, and environmental health through the Cleveland Tree Plan.

The following partners are funded to conduct neighborhood plantings:

• Downtown Cleveland Inc.

  • Planting 36 trees in Public Square, Erie St. Cemetery, and along Euclid Ave., Prospect Ave., and East 9th St.

• Evangelical Environmental Network

  • Maintaining 137 trees at Lake Pool Park, and along Lake Ave., W 85th, W89th, and W 65 streets

• Friends of Jefferson Neighborhood

  • Planting 20 trees along W 129th St.

• Jefferson-Puritas West Park CDC

  • Planting 40 trees in a vacant lot off Emery Ave.

• MetroWest Community Development

  • Planting 50 trees on W 65th from Clark Ave. to Storer Ave.

• Midtown Cleveland Inc.

  • Planting 100 trees on Carnegie Ave. from E 55th to E 79th St.

• Monroe Street Cemetery Foundation

  • Planting 12 trees in Monroe Street Cemetery

• Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

  • Planting 56 trees in a greenspace on E 71 St.

• Northwest Neighborhoods CDC

  • Planting 35 trees on Colgate Ct. from W 80 to W 73 St.

• Old Brooklyn Development Corp.

  • 50 residential tree plantings

• Slavic Village Development

  • 50 residential tree plantings

• University Circle Inc.

  • Planting 15 trees at Wade Oval

• Western Reserve Land Conservancy

  • Planting 75 trees at Wilson Elementary School

More information on these efforts and how to get involved is available at ClevelandTrees.org.