Residents can advocate for their community to participate in the ABQ NeighborWoods program and have 100 trees added to the neighborhood.
The ABQ NeighborWoods program, spearheaded by Tree New Mexico in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque, is a community-centric initiative designed to transform urban environments one neighborhood at a time through strategic tree planting and community engagement. This program uniquely focuses on increasing Albuquerque's tree canopy directly in residential areas, where a significant portion of the city’s trees exist. Funded by local city councilors and the ABQ Parks and Recreation Department, ABQ NeighborWoods is making substantial strides in greening the urban landscape of Albuquerque.
One of the standout features of the ABQ NeighborWoods program is its participatory approach. Residents actively take part in the process from start to finish—they help canvass neighborhoods to gather interest, input tree data into plotting software, and even choose their preferred tree species from a list of suitable, climate-ready options provided by Tree New Mexico. Each participating household commits to watering and caring for their new trees, ensuring that the plantings are sustainable in the long term. Tree New Mexico supports these efforts by offering ongoing care advice, demonstrating a sustained commitment to both the trees and the community.
The benefits of the ABQ NeighborWoods program extend well beyond the aesthetic. By planting trees, the initiative helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect, a critical issue in desert cities like Albuquerque where temperatures can soar. Trees provide much-needed shade, reduce energy costs by cooling homes, and improve air quality by filtering pollutants. Moreover, the presence of trees has been linked to numerous social benefits, including reduced crime rates and slower traffic, making neighborhoods safer and more pleasant for residents. The environmental impact is equally profound—trees play a crucial role in capturing carbon, enhancing soil stability, and supporting urban biodiversity by providing habitats for local wildlife.
In sum, the ABQ NeighborWoods program is not just about planting trees; it's about fostering a robust urban ecosystem and enhancing community well-being through active participation and environmental stewardship. This initiative exemplifies how urban forestry can be leveraged as a tool for social and environmental change, making Albuquerque a greener, more livable city for its residents.
If you want a planting in your neighborhood, contact your Albuquerque City Councilor and email ABQNWoods@treenm.org.
About Tree New Mexico
Tree New Mexico has been at the forefront of environmental advocacy and urban forestry in New Mexico for over three decades, dedicated to planting trees and educating the public about the benefits of a robust urban forest. As the premier non-profit tree planting organization in New Mexico, Tree New Mexico s extensive efforts have seen thousands of trees planted annually across urban landscapes, enriching the local ecosystems and communities.
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