Boise City seeks to plant 100,000 new trees

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The City of Boise has set the goal of planting 100,000 new trees over the next 10 years as part of its city of trees challenge.

To date, the challenge has planted 3,054 trees, including the 200 trees the city gave away to residents this year. In order to help the health of Boise's people and environment, the city is looking to plant drastically increase the number of trees planted.

“By encouraging tree planting in neighborhoods with low canopy cover we can increase the health and wellbeing of the community as a whole,” said Elaine Clegg, Boise City Council president. “Our challenge as a community is to plant trees where they are needed the most to ensure that everyone can enjoy their benefits.”

With the help of sponsors, the city has also planted 37,000 seedlings in the Boise National Forest. The goal is to plant 237,000 more in the park over the next 10 years.

To meet these goals, Boise asks residents to plant trees and to sponsor trees for the national park.

“For every tree planted in Boise, we see clean air and water benefits in addition to reductions in urban heat,” said Lance Davisson, president of the Treasure Valley Canopy Network. “Community support is key in reaching our goal of planting one tree for every household in Boise. Every homeowner who plants a tree will directly improve quality of life, not only for their family, but for our environment and our community as a whole.”

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwrs6iqp5lk57BunnSnpykq12pvG68y5qlrWVhZX1xfI9mpZ6vXam%2FprHS