City of Hartford Announces Launch of Capitol Forest Stewardship Initiative
Published By: Upper Albany Main Street
Date: July 2, 2025
Category: City of Hartford / Community Initiatives
The Office of Sustainability with the City of Hartford is excited to announce the launch of the Capital
Forest Stewardship Initiative – a project dedicated to planting 1,225 free trees in neighborhoods with
low canopy cover. According to the City’s Tree Canopy Action Plan, 11 neighborhoods in Hartford
have below average tree canopy coverage. This initiative aims to address some of the city’s most
urgent environmental and public health challenges, including extreme heat and air pollution. The City
will plant trees on private property, host educational workshops, provide instructional materials, and
other aftercare services, free of charge for Hartford residents.
Trees can positively impact the lives of residents by:
Reducing Air Pollution: The American Lung Association’s 2020 State of the Air report ranked
Hartford among the most polluted metro areas. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to
chronic respiratory conditions. Increasing tree coverage can substantially lower pollution levels
which enhances respiratory health and overall well-being.
Trees are essential infrastructure that will aid in creating a greener, cleaner, and more resilient
community. I am kindly requesting your organization’s support in sharing our marketing collateral
with your beneficiaries. Through our partnership, we will reach a wider audience to increase
awareness about environmental stewardship and the public health benefits trees provide to Hartford
residents.
Included are samples of potential collateral that may be distributed to residents and trusted community
organizations to bolster our collective mission, for your review.
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with your
non-profit organization to help Hartford communities thrive.
Building More Equitable Communities: The installation of trees is a necessary step towards
environmental justice and ensuring that all residents of Hartford have the same opportunities to
live in a healthy, sustainable environment.
Saving Money: With the city’s free tree program, residents can save over $1,000 per tree on
installation costs, community workshops, and individualized site consultations.
Reducing Extreme Heat: Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather events in the U.S., linked
to heat stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory issues. In 2020, Hartford saw a record 39 days at or
above 90°F. Trees offer natural cooling which helps reduce urban temperatures and prevent heat-
related illnesses.