Ellsworth City Adds Trees, Fruit Orchard to Union River Estates
TL/DR –
In Ellsworth, Maine, volunteers have begun planting trees and cleaning up areas around the city in a collaboration between the Arbor Commission, Parks and Recreation Department, and community members. The city has received a grant of $174,000 over three years from the federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which designated significant funds for Urban Forestry projects. The city’s projects, which involve removing invasive plants, adding native ones, and improving the environment around waterfront and low-income housing areas, have so far cost the local taxpayers nothing thanks to the grant funding.
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Urban Forestry Initiative Kicks off in Ellsworth, Maine
On Tuesday, volunteers in the City of Ellsworth, Maine, initiated a comprehensive urban forestry project. The cityscape was bustling with activity as volunteers dug holes, planted trees, and cleaned up surrounding areas.
The project is the product of a joint effort between the city’s Arbor Commission, Parks and Recreation Department, and a host of community volunteers.
Federal Support for Urban Forestry
Ellsworth’s urban forestry project was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the federal government in 2022. The Act designated substantial funding for urban forestry initiatives across the country. Ellsworth seized this opportunity by submitting a proposal to enhance its ecosystem services.
The city’s plan involved the removal of invasive plant species, introduction of native ones, and environmental improvements in waterfront and low-income housing areas. The proposal was successful, and Ellsworth secured an unmatched three-year grant worth $174,000, as confirmed by Tabatha White, a member of the Arbor Commission and an Ellsworth city councilor.
Initial Steps and Future Plan
The project’s first focus was Union River Estates. As White explained, the team succeeded in removing some dead and diseased trees, allowing for the planting of new ones. An added bonus was the creation of a fruit orchard situated between Union River Estates and the Straw low-income housing area.
Roddy Ehrlenbach, Director of Ellsworth Parks and Recreation, highlighted the financial benefits of such projects. He said, “If we look at it, we go back to like you know what is the financial impact over the last four years, we’re looking at $100-120 thousand dollars in tree plantings that have not cost the taxpayers of Ellsworth, the citizens of Ellsworth anything, it’s all come through grant funding which is a pretty cool way to go about doing projects like this.”
The urban forestry project is set to continue at Harbor Park starting Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Call for Volunteers
The city continues to welcome volunteers for the ongoing project. Interested parties can register their interest online or by calling 207-667-2563 ext. 1371. Registering also ensures that volunteers remain informed about any changes to the schedule due to weather conditions.
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