Protect Newton Trees
We’re partnering to preserve and expand Newton’s
tree canopy.
Be a Tree Protector
Why now? Newton has lost more than half of its street trees in the last 50 years. Why is preserving trees important? With fewer trees to absorb increasingly heavy rainfalls, there is more soil erosion, ground saturation, and flooding. With more days over 90°F, having fewer trees leads to heat-island effects. Losing trees can also cause loss of privacy, noise buffering, and screening from headlights and house lights.
What benefits do trees provide? Besides their aesthetic value, trees mitigate air pollution, reduce stormwater runoff, absorb CO2 and release oxygen, and make hot summer days cooler by reducing the “heat island” effect of sun on pavement. Shade trees near homes reduce air-conditioning costs. Tree-lined streets increase property values, slow traffic, and make business districts more inviting. And recent studies show trees make people feel, and be, healthier!
What you can do!
LEARN
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Learn to identify trees using iNaturalist {How to Use the Identify Page - Video Tutorial}
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Learn how each mature tree fights climate change.
Practice using the Arbor Day Foundation Calculator
Calculate your tree’s climate benefits and create a tag for a tree you love. See examples.
The tree tagging labels in these examples use information from Robert Leverett’s carbon calculator (soon to be released at the National Champion Tree Program) and iTree. These apps require more detailed input than the Arbor Day calculator and yield more nuanced results.
To learn more, sign up:
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Mothers Out Front - Newton newsletter: mothersoutfrontnewton@gmail.com
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Protect Newton Trees mailing list: ProtectNewtonTrees@gmail.com
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Protect Newton Trees Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/protectnewtontrees
SHARE
Read Books! Here are some suggestions to get you started:
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To read to children.
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For adults to read for themselves and for adults teaching children about climate change.
Tell your story about loving, losing, or saving trees here: Protect Newton Trees – Tree Stories form (Sign in from your Google account.)
Tell us about Losing Trees: See example # 3.
Tell us about Loving/Saving Trees: see Paula's example.
Increase pride in Newton’s magnificent trees: Nominate a Big Old Tree.
Help find special trees in Newton and take photos to include in our online gallery. Where are Newton’s largest trees? Are there particularly historic trees? Or other public or private trees with great stories or remarkable characteristics?
COMING SOON: our gallery of Big Old Trees & a place to nominate your special tree
Organize a tree tagging project in your neighborhood: Promote understanding of the benefits of individual trees.
You can download tagging instructions here. Then use these instructions to calculate your tree’s climate benefits and create a tag for a tree you love.
COMING SOON: our gallery of tagged trees & a place to upload your photos
ADVOCATE
Safeguard our mature trees from harm.
Speak out for a stronger tree ordinance in Newton.
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Share information with your friends and neighbors. (Sign in from your Google account.)
Get involved: Volunteer