Rotarians and students from Proctor High School joined forces on Saturday morning for this year’s Urban Tree Planting Project, a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Utica, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica, and the City of Utica Parks Department. Together, they planted 30 new trees across East and West Utica, bringing the total number of trees planted through the project to 153 since its inception.
The Urban Tree Planting Project is part of a larger effort to expand Utica’s tree canopy and promote environmental sustainability. The City of Utica recently received a five-year, $2 million Urban Tree Planting grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the Rotary Club of Utica named as one of a half-dozen community partners supporting the initiative.
The project aims to help trees thrive for years to come, enhancing property values, improving air quality by reducing carbon emissions, lowering summer heat through increased shade, and contributing to safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Studies show that a robust urban tree canopy can even help reduce crime and strengthen community well-being.
