Olszewski Launches Tree Equity Initiative to Enhance Environment, Public Health

Towson, MD – Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today launched Operation ReTree Baltimore County, a new equity-based tree planting initiative, fundamentally shifting the County’s approach to reforestation by adding a targeted focus on expanding tree canopies in older high-density, lower-income neighborhoods. 

“Trees are critical community infrastructure that improve air quality, support people’s health, and deliver long-term benefits to our neighborhoods, including raising property values, cooling streets and homes, reducing flooding and absorbing greenhouse gasses,” Olszewski said. “We are excited to launch this new environmental equity effort that will provide an overdue investment in our environment, our residents, and our quality of life for years to come.”  

Olszewski and County environmental leaders kicked off Operation ReTree Baltimore County this afternoon in the West Inverness community of Dundalk, where community leaders partnered with the County to promote the free tree planting program. 

Area residents have responded enthusiastically, and tree plantings in this community are slated to exceed the County’s goal of 200 trees by nearly 50 percent.  

The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) will designate additional neighborhoods around Baltimore County for a similar hyper-local planting effort in the spring.  

Focus on High Density, Lower-Income Neighborhoods 

While Baltimore County has long been designated a Tree City USA and has earned a national reputation for its successful reforestation program, past efforts have focused primarily on large plantings, mostly on public lands. Operation ReTree was created as a systematic approach to ensure that trees are planted in densely populated communities with lower average incomes and insufficient tree canopy. These areas tend to be more challenging and costly because they have less land available for planting due to tightly condensed roads and utilities – both above and below ground.

Recognizing the need for more trees in these communities, Olszewski announced in his FY 2022 budget the creation of a tree equity  program, dedicating $400,000 for its first year. He charged EPS with identifying and prioritizing neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy and the highest need for public investment in trees. 

The new program establishes tree equity priority scores, which rank 2020 Census block groups to identify areas where the most people with limited resources can benefit from increased tree canopy near their homes.

Bringing Back West Inverness’ Tree-Lined Streets and Shady Yards 

When the homes of West Inverness were originally built in the 1950s, neighborhood streets were lined with sycamores and other shade trees. This tree canopy has dwindled over the years, reducing trees’ natural cooling and air filtering effects. To enhance the local environment, property values, and public health, the County will plant a total of 290 trees throughout West Inverness over the next two weeks. 

EPS will plant 185 trees at 139 homes, 40 trees at the West Inverness Recreation Center, and additional trees at Lynch Cove Park, Sandy Plains Elementary School and Eastfield Townhomes. 

County working to achieve countywide tree canopy of 50 percent

Since 2000, Baltimore County has reforested more than 992 acres in support of the County’s reforestation requirements under the Forest Conservation Act, tree canopy goals and municipal stormwater permit. For the past 18 years, Baltimore County has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. 

The County's goal is to achieve and maintain a 50 percent tree canopy Countywide and within the three drinking water reservoirs by the year 2025. Additionally, the County is striving to achieve and maintain 40 percent tree coverage within more populated areas inside the Urban Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) and for each of the Census Designated Places (CDPs).