ReGreen Springfield

UMass Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Students Design Mason Square Branch Library Pollinator Garden

Over the past month, four UMass Amherst students of the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning department have been analyzing possible sites for the design and planting of a pollinator garden in Springfield. They visited Mason Square Branch Library to determine the current conditions and possibilities for planting. Ultimately it was decided to concentrate efforts on the Mason Square Library site. Over the remaining weeks of the semester the students will further research and finalize a design for the site, returning in the spring to proceed with planting.

We can use some help on Friday, December 2nd from Noon – 3:00 PM to prepare the garden for planting this spring.  Please join us if you can!  Just come to the Mason Square Branch Library, 765 State Street, Springfield.  The garden is in the rear of the building.

The Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) is a 2- week clerkship that offers students from various medical disciplines an opportunity to learn more about healthcare disparities and specific health issues that affect urban and rural communities. Currently, the students in this program consist of medical students from UMASS Medical School, PAs from Bay Path University, and pharmacy students from Western New England University.

Over two weeks in October and November, 2022, four PURCH students will be working with ReGreen Springfield examining the tree canopy and environmental justice issues in the Upper Hill, McKnight and Old Hill Neighborhoods.  The ReGreen Springfield clerkship empowers students to advocate for additional tree planting in Springfield, Ma. This is the fifth year that ReGreen Springfield has participated in this program

This year, students have:

• Gathered data from the community to help identify social justice disparities and current gaps;
• Learned how to use  i-Tree software;
• Formulated an action plan;
• Attended community meetings;
• Designed informative flyers for the community;
• Engaged with the Springfield community about the benefits of tree planting.

Please Join Us…

For a Free Learn to Prune Trees Workshop!

You are invited to an informational workshop that introduces the basics of tree biology, structure and pruning, which also includes instruction on how to prune newly established trees. This workshop is sponsored by ReGreen Springfield, the City of Springfield Forestry Division, and the Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The classroom and hands-on session will include field exercises on trees in Forest Park, where you can actually practice pruning techniques that will be introduced during the workshop.

There is no charge to participate in this practical program, and you don’t need a green thumb to be part of the fun.  You will learn new skills and practical techniques that you can use on your own property, or as part of a community volunteer tree pruning effort, that will kick off in Spring 2023 in Springfield.

PLEASE NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS REQUIRED.

To register please complete the enrollment form via Google at https://forms.gle/KZjwv6mfbPSvrccL7

For questions, or more information, please contact Glen Altro, Greening the Gateway Cities Springfield Coordinator at galtro@springfieldcityhall.com