Willimantic Receives 'Sustainable CT' Funding for Tree Planting

Willimantic, CT (01/28/2020) — Willimantic is among seven Connecticut municipalities to recently received funding from the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund for a sustainability-oriented community project.

325 Trees & Shrubs, a Windham-based neighborhood group, raised $13,000 ($26,000 including the Sustainable CT match) to plant native tree and bush species in public spaces across Willimantic.

The Sustainable CT Community Match Fund doubled the funding available for each project with a dollar-for-dollar match. Sustainable CT is an initiative of the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University meant to assist communities in becoming more resilient and sustainable.

The crowdfunding campaign was supported by 60 donations, ranging from $10 to $3,000. Project leaders are now consulting with Windham Public Works and a local tree company to choose public sites in the city in need of re-greening-public parks, ball fields and roadsides-and choosing plant species appropriate for each area. Planting is slated to begin in September and October.

"A community that maximizes the number of wisely chosen trees and shrubs is healthier for its citizens and wildlife, furry and scaly, footed or winged, who live among us," said Faith Kenton, a project leader. "Being green means cooler air, cleaner water, less urban heating-island effect and even higher property values."

About Sustainable CT and Community Match Fund

Sustainable CT is funded by the Hampshire Foundation, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and Connecticut Green Bank. The Sustainable CT Community Match Fund is an innovative funding resource that provides a dollar-for-dollar match to all donations raised from the community, doubling local investment. The program is helping to bring projects across the state to life by providing fast, accessible funding as well as fundraising coaching and support to residents and organizations with great ideas to make their communities more sustainable.

Anyone in a Sustainable CT-registered municipality (more than 50 percent of the state) is eligible to receive this funding, meaning that schools, nonprofits, community groups and individual residents can all propose projects and access the matching funds. To start a Community Match Fund project, visit ioby.org/sustainablect or contact Sustainable CT's Abe Hilding-Salorio at hildingsalorioa@easternct.edu or 860-465-0256.

"Through the Community Match Fund, we aim to put residents at the forefront of creating positive, impactful change," said Hilding-Salorio, community outreach manager for Sustainable CT. "Match Fund projects are community led and community funded, demonstrating the power of people working together to make change in their communities."

Sustainable CT, an initiative by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, provides a roadmap of sustainability best practices for towns, technical assistance, funding and recognition through certification. Forty-seven towns and cities across Connecticut have earned the prestigious Sustainable CT certification, demonstrating accomplishments in nine impact categories including inclusive and equitable communities, cleaner transportation, vibrant arts and culture, natural resource stewardship and affordable housing. Find more information at www.sustainablect.org.

https://easternct.meritpages.com/news/-sustainable-ct--matches--57k-for-community-projects-across-state/13659