Bill Walczak, Honoree Charlie Lord, David Meshoulam, president of Tree Boston, and Lyndia Downie of Pine Street Inn. Mike Ritter photos
The Dorchester-based organization Tree Boston (formerly Speak for the Trees) held its second gala at Southline on Morrissey Boulevard on Wed., Oct. 7, to raise awareness of its goals and funds for its youth programs.
Formed eight years ago, the group advocates for expanding the city’s tree canopy and retaining existing trees to prevent heat islands and other negative effects of urban deforestation. President David Meshoulam said they do one fundraiser per year and decided to stage this year’s event in Dorchester.
“It’s hard to believe that eight years ago this was just an idea and now there’s a staff of 12 and we partner with the city and state,” he said. “I didn’t set out to start a non-profit and here it is…We’ve had our successes over the years, but there’s great work to be done. I feel in some ways that we’re just getting started.”
The evening drew a crowd to celebrate the organization and network with others. A special honor was given to Charlie Lord, principal at Renew Energy Partners. In his honor, Tree Boston launched the Evergreen Fund to raise money for youth programs – particularly during the school year.
The Teen Urban Tree Corps helps young people explore careers in forestry and ecology while getting paid for an internship experience.
Laura Crist, director of advancement, said city budget cuts eliminated the funding they have used to employ and train around 14 teens during the school year.
“We are trying to raise the money for the school year program because the city cut the funds for it,” she said. “It’s put us in a tough position because we have 10 youth and a teen leader, and we haven’t been able to start up yet. So, we hope to be able to start very soon after raising some funds with our Evergreen Fund effort.”
Dorchester’s Torrien Oliver, 19, is one of the teens who hopes to be able to return to the school year program soon, as he has found it valuable in learning about a future career. He has been with the program for three summers already.
“You build long-term relationships with people here,” he said. “Being in Randolph a lot in the past I noticed a difference in the number of trees and air quality and urban heat island effects.”
He said he would like to bring more trees to areas like Downtown Crossing and the neighborhoods where he lives now that he has learned the value of the urban tree canopy.
Meshoulam said one of the next steps for the organization is focusing on existing trees on private property, many that are often cut down while in the prime of their existence.
“It’s not just expanding and planting trees, it’s maintaining and keeping those that are here,” he noted.
Tree Boston is based on Clayton Street near Fields Corner.
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