Million Tree Initiative

In May 2006, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made Million Trees LA one of his campaign promises. This initiative was planned to plant trees between 2006 and 2010 and the trees were expected to provide environmental benefits and were predicted to continue to grow until 2040.{{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. G. |last2=Simpson |first2=J. R. |last3=Xiao |first3=Q. |last4=Wu |first4=C. |date=2011 |title=Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment |url=https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/38102 |journal=Landscape and Urban Planning |language=en |volume=99 |issue=1 |pages=44–50 |doi=10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011|bibcode=2011LUrbP..99...40M |url-access=subscription }} This campaign is important and can increase urban woods as a piece of infrastructure that can assist cities in mitigating their environment.{{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=February 2010 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=0364-152X |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }} The purpose of this initiative will also reduce emissions and save energy.{{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. Gregory |last2=Kendall |first2=Alissa |date=September 2014 |title=A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |journal=The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment |language=en |volume=19 |issue=9 |pages=1653–1665 |doi=10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |bibcode=2014IJLCA..19.1653M |issn=0948-3349|url-access=subscription }} The Los Angeles project is funded by a mix of federal money and municipal funding, charities, and corporate donations. It was one of among forty winners from 200 nominees to obtain a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Award in 2009.EPA. [http://www.epa.gov/region09/awards/09/index.html 2009 Environmental Awards] Retrieved September 27, 2011.

The Mile High Million, an initiative started by then Mayor John Hickenlooper, is a similar program in Denver, Colorado. This was announced by Hickenlooper in his 2006 State of the City Address.Hickenlooper, John (July 12, 2006). [http://www.greenprintdenver.org/about/state-of-the-city-address-2006/ State of the City Address 2006.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010055252/http://www.greenprintdenver.org/about/state-of-the-city-address-2006/ |date=2011-10-10 }} Retrieved September 27, 2011. This Initiative helped these trees be implemented in forests in Los Angeles and even other cities like New York. {{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=February 2010 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=0364-152X |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }}

File:NYC Tree Tag QR Code.jpg

On April 22, 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed goals of planting one million trees by 2017 as part of PlaNYC, a plan designed for the sustainability of New York City.The City of New York (April 22, 2007). [http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2007a%2Fpr119-07.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1 MAYOR BLOOMBERG PRESENTS PLANYC: A GREENER, GREATER NEW YORK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626134717/http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2007a%2Fpr119-07.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1 |date=June 26, 2007 }} Retrieved February 28, 2011. In the same year, China began its own tree planting program for Shanghai, with the same goal for one million trees. After that, London also began the million tree initiative program in 2011.

The planning process involves local city governments, NGOs, businesses, and community nonprofit organizations.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#Stakeholder-engagement |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}} Environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners have also contributed to this initiative.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#Stakeholder-engagement |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}} The Million Tree Initiative, began with one of the steps of planting trees in local residential areas, urban parks, and other natural areas.{{Cite journal |last=McPherson |first=E. Gregory |date=2014-09-01 |title=Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits |url=https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/5/286 |journal=Arboriculture & Urban Forestry |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=286–301 |doi=10.48044/jauf.2014.027 |issn=1935-5297}} The work and maintenance is distributed to people who have agreed to live in those or near those areas to participate by helping and taking care of and maintaining the trees.{{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. Gregory |last2=Kendall |first2=Alissa |date=2014-09-01 |title=A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |journal=The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment |language=en |volume=19 |issue=9 |pages=1653–1665 |doi=10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |bibcode=2014IJLCA..19.1653M |issn=1614-7502|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |last=McPherson |first=E. Gregory |date=2014-09-01 |title=Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits |url=https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/5/286 |journal=Arboriculture & Urban Forestry |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=286–301 |doi=10.48044/jauf.2014.027 |issn=1935-5297}}{{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=2010-02-01 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=1432-1009 |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }} Many of the materials and necessities for planting the trees are provided by the local governments and involved organizations. {{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=2010-02-01 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=1432-1009 |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }}{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#Political-commitment |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}}

Ongoing monitoring and tracking of the trees' growth and health are crucial to ensure their success.{{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=2010-02-01 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=1432-1009 |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }}{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#Management |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}} Some programs include regular assessments to measure the initiative's effectiveness.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#The-public-impact |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}} Tree tags with QR codes are used to identify the tree species, contractor, planting dates, deficiencies, and watering events for payment. Trees are also tracked in a GIS mapping system and used by staff to quickly locate and navigate to specifically determined locations as needed. Since the maturity of the trees influences the effectiveness of their purpose, these trees had to be maintained for periods of time so that the goal of the initiative is successful.{{Cite journal |last=McPherson |first=E. Gregory |date=2014-09-01 |title=Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits |url=https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/5/286 |journal=Arboriculture & Urban Forestry |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=286–301 |doi=10.48044/jauf.2014.027 |issn=1935-5297}} To guarantee the initiative’s long-term success, ongoing efforts may involve regular maintenance, additional tree planting, and adapting strategies to address changing environmental conditions.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-10 |title=MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest |url=https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/milliontreesnyc-planting-and-tending-the-urban-forest/#The-public-impact |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Centre for Public Impact |language=en-GB}}

Tree data management and mapping solutions for MillionTreeNYC supplied by [http://Nektar.io Nektar.io] of Edmonton Canada.

This Million Tree Initiative is also seen as a display of how the government is progressing to solve urban sustainability, as well as global climate change problems.{{Cite journal |last1=Brancalion |first1=Pedro H. S. |last2=Holl |first2=Karen D. |date=December 2020 |editor-last=Garcia |editor-first=Cristina |title=Guidance for successful tree planting initiatives |url=https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13725 |journal=Journal of Applied Ecology |language=en |volume=57 |issue=12 |pages=2349–2361 |doi=10.1111/1365-2664.13725 |bibcode=2020JApEc..57.2349B |issn=0021-8901}} Local governments such as Los Angeles and New York City, implemented these projects to help reduce carbon emissions, clean air, and fight urban heat islands with mass tree planting.{{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=February 2010 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=0364-152X |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }}{{Cite web |title=PlaNYC 2030 - A Greener Greater New York|url=https://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/planyc-2030-a-greener-greater-new-york.html |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=www.adaptationclearinghouse.org}} Such programs are inextricably linked with larger environmental objectives like California's climate goals and New York's "PlaNYC," an overarching effort to make the city more resistant to climate effects.{{Cite web |title=PlaNYC 2030 - A Greener Greater New York |url=https://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/planyc-2030-a-greener-greater-new-york.html |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=www.adaptationclearinghouse.org}} They further illustrate the growing political salience of nature-based solutions for urban governance, with city governments playing a major role in global environmental governance.{{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. Gregory |last2=Simpson |first2=James R. |last3=Xiao |first3=Qingfu |last4=Wu |first4=Chunxia |date=2011-01-30 |title=Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169204610001982 |journal=Landscape and Urban Planning |volume=99 |issue=1 |pages=40–50 |doi=10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011 |bibcode=2011LUrbP..99...40M |issn=0169-2046|url-access=subscription }} While they face similar challenges of funding and political opposition, they are viewed as small examples of collaboration between local, federal, and private initiatives. {{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. Gregory |last2=Simpson |first2=James R. |last3=Xiao |first3=Qingfu |last4=Wu |first4=Chunxia |date=January 2011 |title=Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169204610001982 |journal=Landscape and Urban Planning |language=en |volume=99 |issue=1 |pages=40–50 |doi=10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011|bibcode=2011LUrbP..99...40M |url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |last1=Domke |first1=Grant M. |last2=Oswalt |first2=Sonja N. |last3=Walters |first3=Brian F. |last4=Morin |first4=Randall S. |date=2020-10-06 |title=Tree planting has the potential to increase carbon sequestration capacity of forests in the United States |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=117 |issue=40 |pages=24649–24651 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2010840117 |doi-access=free |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=7547226 |pmid=32958649|bibcode=2020PNAS..11724649D }}

The Million Tree Initiative has also had global effects, and one example is the Paris Agreement, this agreement helps recognize cities that are contributing to global efforts and reducing carbon emissions and footprints.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-16 |title=Plant a Tree to Mark April 22 Signing of the Paris Agreement |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/plant-tree-mark-april-22-signing-paris-agreement |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}} The investment in these trees also helps citices better adapt to rising temperatures, energy conservation, decrease of air and water pollution, and better property values.{{Cite journal |last=Pincetl |first=Stephanie |date=2010-02-01 |title=Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=227–238 |doi=10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7 |issn=1432-1009 |pmc=2819482 |pmid=20016982|bibcode=2010EnMan..45..227P }} Some of the socioeconomic benefits of tree planting is that people can come together as a community and improve public spaces and this could even promote green jobs and motivate people to engage more when it comes to climate movements and funds. {{Cite web |last=Fransen |first=Bas |date=2023-07-09 |title=The Social and Economic Benefits of Planting Trees |url=https://www.ecomatcher.com/the-social-and-economic-benefits-of-planting-trees/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=EcoMatcher |language=en-US}}

The Million Tree Initiative has also significantly impacted the climate in many ways.{{Cite journal |last1=McPherson |first1=E. Gregory |last2=Kendall |first2=Alissa |date=2014-09-01 |title=A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |journal=The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment |language=en |volume=19 |issue=9 |pages=1653–1665 |doi=10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8 |bibcode=2014IJLCA..19.1653M |issn=1614-7502|url-access=subscription }} One way is through a process in which trees perform an act known as a carbon sink.{{Cite web |title=Carbon Sources and Sinks |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/carbon-sources-and-sinks/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}} This process happens when a tree absorbs the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it into their biomass.{{Cite web |title=Carbon Sources and Sinks |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/carbon-sources-and-sinks/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=What is a carbon sink? |url=https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/what-is-a-carbon-sink/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=www.clientearth.org |language=en-US}} The trees have also been known to reduce heat emissions and are a useful cooling source.{{Cite journal |last1=Zhu |first1=Yuzhou |last2=Kensek |first2=Karen M. |date=January 2024 |title=Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect: The Thermal Performance of Shade-Tree Planting in Downtown Los Angeles |journal=Sustainability |language=en |volume=16 |issue=20 |pages=8768 |doi=10.3390/su16208768 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2024Sust...16.8768Z |issn=2071-1050}} The shade from the trees and the reduced temperature both reduced over 100,000 megawatt-hours in many neighborhood locations for many [https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/isa/40/5/286/F1.large.jpg years].{{Cite journal |last=McPherson |first=E. Gregory |date=2014-09-01 |title=Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits |url=https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/5/286 |journal=Arboriculture & Urban Forestry |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=286–301 |doi=10.48044/jauf.2014.027 |issn=1935-5297}} These improved changes have also helped decrease over 100,000 tons of avoided carbon emissions. {{Cite journal |last=McPherson |first=E. Gregory |date=2014-09-01 |title=Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits |url=https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/5/286 |journal=Arboriculture & Urban Forestry |language=en |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=286–301 |doi=10.48044/jauf.2014.027 |issn=1935-5297}}

Not only do the trees improve air quality through the photosynthesis process, but studies have shown that in just about a year, a mature tree can absorb half a metric ton of carbon dioxide.{{Cite web |title=A Breath of Fresh Air: How Trees Help Mitigate Climate Change |url=https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/a-breath-of-fresh-air-how-trees-help-mitigate-climate-change#:~:text=This%20process,%20known%20as%20photosynthesis,ton%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20equivalent. |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=National Forest Foundation |language=en}} The health of the ecosystem can also be improved.{{Cite web |title=Planting forests with diverse tree species increases likelihood of success |url=https://www.earth.com/news/planting-forests-with-diverse-tree-species-increases-likelihood-of-success/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Earth.com |language=en}} This is because by planting more trees, a biodiversity of the type of trees used can be increased and the survival rate of wildlife can increase due to a wider range of habitat and improved climate quality. {{Cite web |title=Planting forests with diverse tree species increases likelihood of success |url=https://www.earth.com/news/planting-forests-with-diverse-tree-species-increases-likelihood-of-success/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Earth.com |language=en}}

{{main|Urban forest#Benefits}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://whatcommilliontrees.org/ Whatcom Million Trees Project - Bellingham, Washington, USA]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060820225734/http://www.milliontreesla.org/ Million Trees LA]}}
• [http://milehighmillion.org/ Million Trees Denver]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080623063935/http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/home/home.shtml Million Trees NYC]
• [http://www.mtpchina.org/ Million Trees Shanghai]
• [http://www.milliontrees.ca/ Million Trees - London, Ontario]
• [http://ytds.org/ Plant A Million Tree - Pune, India]

{{Forestry}}

Category:Environmental policy in the United States

Category:Environment of Greater Los Angeles

Category:Trees of New York City

Category:Environment of Canada

Category:Urban forestry

Category:Reforestation

Category:Forestry initiatives