Turning Grayscapes to Greenscapes in Bridgeport

Although it’s known as the “Park City,快速浏览了一下布里奇波特纵横交错的街道, Connecticut tells a different story. It’s one where majority-minority, low-income communities, 尤其是那些在城市东边发现的, lack tree coverage.

It gets blistering hot in the summer. 100+° Fahrenheit-surface-temperature hot.

Some families can’t afford to pay electricity bills.

Greenspace is at a premium.

Relief is out of reach for residents.

布里奇波特市不仅拥有该州最低的澳门威尼斯人游戏冠, 但东区的澳门威尼斯人游戏木数量是全市最低的. 澳门威尼斯人游戏冠的覆盖率很低，只有5%，而破坏性风暴或翠绿灰虫的威胁总是若隐若现.

The lack of trees also diminishes air quality, 为呼吸系统疾病创造了完美的风暴, like asthma, which is prevalent in this community, particularly in children.

但布里奇波特的故事远不是另一个年久失修的城市, 居民们聚集在一起重建社会结构, health, and vitality of the area with the help of trees.

这座城市有强大的地方领导人，比如克里斯蒂娜·史密斯总统 & 植澳门威尼斯人游戏节基金会的种植合作伙伴桥港基础的首席执行官, 谁在优先种植澳门威尼斯人游戏木，而不仅仅是在社区, but with the community.

ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TREE PLANTERS

对于克里斯蒂娜和她的团队来说，植澳门威尼斯人游戏并不是唯一的目标. She hopes to engage residents, especially youth, 把他们的手伸进泥土里，看看他们如何能做出改变.

基布里奇波特雇佣了一组年轻人，训练他们持续照顾社区的澳门威尼斯人游戏木. Originally called the Tree Stewards, 这群青少年很快将自己改名为“澳门威尼斯人游戏木巡逻队”，并开始工作. They serve the neighborhoods where they live, monitoring the trees, providing basic care, and connecting with their neighbors. 他们的“巡逻”提高了每棵澳门威尼斯人游戏的寿命，同时给了他们宝贵的经验和丰厚的工资.

“这不仅仅是关于每天种植的澳门威尼斯人游戏木数量. It really is about survival,” said Christina.