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Planting more trees within the city limits
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Carmel has been a certified Tree City USA since 1994. This strategy will ensure that Carmel maintains its status as a Tree City USA and further increase tree canopy coverage each year, which has a multitude of social and ecosystem benefits. Conduct an inventory of the City of Carmel to locate planting sites that could benefit from more trees. Target those areas first for tree plantings.
Number of Planted Trees by Year-
2018 - 1,731 trees planted
2019 - 2,048 trees planted
2020 - 1,507 trees planted
2021 - 1,168 trees planted
2022 - 993 trees planted
2024 - 476 trees planted
Recording all trees that are planted in the ROW.
Carmel is committed to enhancing its urban canopy and promoting environmental health through collaborative efforts. The Carmel Street Department, Carmel Clay Parks, and the Carmel Clay Library are partnering to host tree giveaways and tree swap events.
These events offer residents the opportunity to receive free trees to plant on their properties, contributing to a greener community. Additionally, the tree swap program encourages the replacement of invasive tree species with native, beneficial alternatives. By removing invasive plants, we can help restore local ecosystems and support biodiversity.
Throughout April of 2023 and 2024, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) offered an Invasive for Native Tree Swap program to promote invasive species awareness. By removing one or more invasive species from their properties, CCPR reimbursed residents with one three-gallon native tree sapling per household. Four species of native trees were made available: redbud, pagoda dogwood, Kentucky coffee tree, and winterberry.