Trees can transform neighborhoods, offering shade, reducing energy costs, and improving property values. They also play a vital role in fostering community, which can help reduce crime. However, in many cities, including Indianapolis, trees are often planted in wealthier areas, leaving poorer communities underserved.
West Indianapolis, for example, where 35% of the population lives below the poverty line, has less than 10% tree cover. To address this, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), a nonprofit focused on environmental improvement, is working to plant trees in neighborhoods that need them most.
KIB recently identified ten areas in Indianapolis that lack green space, with half of them located on the city’s west side. These include neighborhoods like Haughville, West Indy, and parts of Speedway. The organization also plans to focus on areas such as Warren Park, Eastgate, Southport, and Mapleton-Fall Creek.
On November 8, 2024, KIB staff and volunteers planted dozens of cherrybark oak trees along West Morris Street, a public right-of-way in West Indianapolis. The event marked one of the many efforts to increase tree cover in the city.
“We want to direct our resources where they are most needed,” said Karl Selm, KIB’s senior geographic information system analyst. The nonprofit chose these areas due to their lack of trees, the need for capital improvements, and KIB’s minimal involvement in these communities.
During the tree-planting event, volunteers learned how to properly plant trees, including digging holes, preparing roots, and ensuring the trees’ taproots were properly positioned. Volunteers included local residents and students from Butler University and IU Indianapolis, many of whom were participating for extra credit in a plant-related course.
Desirae Michalisko and her children, Nora, Margot, and Jack, were among the volunteers. “It’s a great way to make the neighborhood better,” Michalisko said as her children helped with the planting.
Blanca De La Cruz, a local resident, was also excited about the new trees. Living near businesses that produce dust, she hopes the trees will help reduce pollution and improve the area’s appearance.
KIB is committed to caring for the newly planted trees for the next three years, ensuring they receive enough water and attention, especially during dry spells. In addition to planting, KIB’s ongoing work will include tree maintenance, pruning, and stump removal. The organization secured a $12-million contract with the U.S. Forest Service in October, which will fund the planting of 4,500 new trees across the city over the next five years.
This initiative is just one part of a broader effort to make Indianapolis greener and more equitable. By planting trees in underserved areas, KIB hopes to create lasting change in some of the city’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
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