The agreement provides financial assistance to newport tree conservancy to conduct environmental activities in the north end of newport, RI, as a part of the southeast new england program (snep)…

This Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 under the Geographic Programs - Southeast New England Coastal Watershed Restoration Program (CFDA 66.129) provides $152,460 in funding to the Newport Tree Conservancy. The 3-year project titled "Protecting the Watershed with Trees" will:

1. Increase tree planting and educate residents in Newport's underserved North End on the benefits of trees in mitigating climate-related water risks like flooding and pollution.

2. Expand the tree canopy in Miantonomi Park to provide open green space and environmental benefits to the marginalized North End community.

3. Engage residents more deeply in tree planting, care, and decision-making to address environmental injustices disproportionately affecting this area.

4. Build the community engagement capacity and partnerships of the Newport Tree Conservancy and its local government and community organization partners.

The project aims to improve community resilience, water quality, and ecosystem health in Newport's disadvantaged neighborhoods through nature-based solutions and meaningful resident participation.

The agreement provides financial assistance to newport tree conservancy to conduct environmental activities in the north end of newport, RI, as a part of the southeast new england program (snep) opportunity to advance resilience as outlined the application. This award will implement a three year project entitled 'protecting the watershed with trees' in three areas that have been designated as underserved as designated on the EPA IRA disadvantaged communities map.activities:task 1: increase tree planting in the disadvantaged area and educate residents on the benefits of trees in mitigating climate related water risks as a strategy for reducing the impact of flooding and pollution and keeping residential neighborhoods safe and livable. Task 2: broaden the tree canopy of miantonomi park in newport's marginalized north end to ensure open green space is available to residents and to harness the substantial environmental benefits of increased tree canopy. Task 3: more deeply engage residents of the targeted area in tree planting, care, and decisionmaking as a strategy for increasing their involvement and voice in addressing an environmental injustice that has disproportionately affected the north end. Task 4: increasing community engagement capacity and partnership involvement by mobilizing project partners city of newport and newport open space partnership and other community-based organizations to plant more trees, monitor environmental conditions in the health equity zone (HEZ), and more effectively engage residents in volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:newport tree conservancy's 'protecting the watershed with trees' project will address snep's outreach and capacity building/staffing categories. IT is an expansion of an existing community based outreach, awareness, partnership, and volunteer efforts that will more fully engage newport's north end community on a deeper level to address the many negative health, economic, social, and environmental effects of coastal water impacts and tree inequity in the pursuit of social and environmental justice. In the year ahead, this project will build on current community engagement work with a more intentional and well resourced approach to tree planting and care, outreach, volunteerism, resident leadership, and partnership. This program will prioritize the engagement and leadership of newport's diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups and provide opportunities for residents to shape their future and participate in change efforts. The successful completion of project outcomes builds capacity, engages more residents in a more meaningful way, gets more trees in the ground in the areas that need them the most, and addresses negative water impacts such as stormwater runoff and flooding that is particularly severe in the north end's marginalized neighborhoods. The ecological benefits this project work towards a healthier and more sustainable urban environment, ecosystem, and make newport disadvantaged communities more resilient to the effects of climate change.