ENVIROMENT | More trees, please

Protecting a city’s tree canopy is important for three key reasons: reducing climate temperature, reducing flooding and setting a standard of beauty and sustainability. Join Sustainable Springfield and Urban Sassafras in their efforts to protect and add trees to Springfield’s tree canopy by attending a kickoff reception on Thursday, April 21, at Urban Sassafras. In order to meet an annual goal of maintaining at least 30 percent tree coverage throughout the city, Sustainable Springfield is encouraging businesses and landowners to allow the organization to plant native and/or non-invasive tree species on their property, starting with the Clear Lake Avenue corridor. From 5-8 p.m., Sustainable Springfield president Anne Logue will be available to answer questions about the Springfield Urban Tree Canopy Project. Also, Urban Sassafras will donate one tree for any customer making $50 of purchases during the three-hour reception, as well as one tree for every $200 of purchases throughout April and May. For more information about Sustainable Springfield and the Urban Tree Canopy Project, visit http://sustainablespringfield.org.