Case Study: City of Holyoke achieves a more equitable urban forest with Davey Resource Group

City of Holyoke, MA launches first urban forest equity plan in 2020 with Davey

The City of Holyoke, MA, faced historical inequities in its urban forest, with some neighborhoods lacking sufficient trees and their essential benefits following the decline of the local paper industry. To address this, the city partnered with vendor Davey Resource Group, a Davey Tree division, to create its first Urban Forest Equity Plan on an ambitious schedule and limited budget.

The solution from Davey Resource Group centered on applying an equity lens to urban forestry, prioritizing meaningful community engagement and proactive management. The resulting plan provides a creative framework to preserve, grow, and care for Holyoke's trees, with the ultimate goal of ensuring all residents have equal access to a healthy urban forest and its benefits.

City of Holyoke, MA