The city of Aurora will launch its tree-planting initiative, "Reinvesting in Aurora's Urban Canopy for Social Equity and Climate Resilience," on Thursday, Nov. 7, by planting the first of the 2,000 trees that will be planted through 2028.

"This project emphasizes community outreach and engagement, featuring multilingual communications and events that foster connections among residents," said Ricardo Gambetta, Manager of the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. "Residents can look forward to numerous tree-planting events, educational workshops and collaborative opportunities to connect with their urban forest through 2028."

The kickoff event will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Utah Park, 1800 S. Peoria St., and will include tree planting activities led by the city of Aurora's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department in collaboration with the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. Community members are encouraged to participate, learn about the benefits of trees and engage with neighbors.

"Greener Communities, Brighter Futures" is the motto of this initiative, which focuses on extending the lifespan of mature trees through maintenance and pruning, while also introducing a variety of new tree species in neighborhoods.

These efforts also enhance and expand key initiatives stated in the city's Immigrant Integration Plan. As the most diverse city in Colorado, Aurora has large communities of immigrants and refugees, and many of these communities reside in areas with the oldest trees and many open planting spaces. By focusing the program in these areas, the city of Aurora will promote equity, enhance the urban forest, improve public health and foster environmental resilience.

"Reinvesting in Aurora's Urban Canopy for Social Equity and Climate Resilience" is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to support the city's urban forest growth and maintenance. The grant is part of a $1.5 billion investment in the USDA Forest Service's nationwide Urban and Community Forestry Program, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act.