LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For 15 years, Louisville Grows has worked to enhance the city's tree canopy, which can affect people's health according to a new study.
Louisville Grows has planted nearly 8,000 trees in low-canopy neighborhoods around the city since its founding. The nonprofit in the Portland neighborhood is planting trees with a purpose.
"The trees that we plant help soak up the groundwater, help prevent flooding in our communities, also provide some cover of shade to help reduce the urban heat island effect Louisville suffers from," said James Russell Bushong, a board member of Louisville Grows. "They also help clean out our air."
Louisville has one of the fastest growing urban heat island effects in the country, according to the nonprofit. The heat island effects are more pronounced in the city's west and south end, which causes health disparities like heat-related illnesses and death. It disproportionately affects Louisville's poorest people.
"A lot of urban areas in the city have the lowest tree canopy rate, so we go plant trees where it is needed the most," Russell Bushong said.
Louisville Grows held a 15th anniversary event in the Portland neighborhood on Sept. 8, 2024.
A recent University of Louisville research study reports trees have a positive affect on people's health. UofL's Green Heart Louisville Project found people living in neighborhoods where the number of trees and shrubs was more than doubled showed lower levels of a blood marker of inflammation than those living outside the planted areas. General inflammation is a risk indicator for heart disease and other chronic diseases.
But Louisville is losing around 54,000 trees a year and facing a diminishing tree canopy. The average tree canopy in neighborhoods the nonprofit serves is 15-22%, well below the recommended 45% urban tree canopy.
"It's really important for our community to have a succession plan as trees are removed because they're getting older, they might have to get taken down for development," Russell Bushong said. "It's important that we have new trees being planted."
On Sunday, Louisville Grows' 15th anniversary event offered free trees like a bald cypress. Stephanie Friddle walked away with a native tree sapling.
"I really like them because their needles are soft, they have a really beautiful shape," Friddle said.
Friddle and Em Coleman have both volunteered for Louisville Grows to plant trees around the city.
"It's cool you see trees that you planted for years and years and you watch them grow up in different neighborhoods and you know you've made a long-lasting impact," Coleman said.
Amanda Fuller, founder of Lots of Food, works with Louisville Grows as an urban farmer.
"Louisville Grows has been a great partner in helping people learn about their environment, what's around them and what's healthy to eat," Fuller said. "A lot of people know that we need more trees in our city and they need more trees in their neighborhood."
Louisville Grows hosts training sessions for tree planting and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. It's all part of the effort for a healthier city with more trees.
"It helps everybody," Coleman said. "It's a win win."
To learn more about Louisville Grows, click here.
Related Stories:
- New UofL study reveals health benefits of increased tree coverage in Louisville
- New 'Louisville Tree Plan' aimed at reversing decline of city's tree canopy in more neighborhoods
- City of Louisville receiving $12 million from federal grant to improve tree canopy
- Council could soon vote on plan to save Louisville's shrinking tree canopy
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
