Photo: Thomas Bender, Sarasota Herald Tribune
“The Community Canopy program, which gives away free trees to help expand the urban canopy while reducing energy bills, has returned to the City of Sarasota. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and the Florida Forest Service, the city will provide 250 trees to residents at no cost—double last year’s allotment.
Three species of trees will be offered: Dahoon holly, live oak and red maple. All the species are native trees, sourced from within Florida.
The trees will be delivered to the resident’s home in a one gallon container…
‘As the trees grow so do the benefits to the community, with less carbon and cleaner air and water,” says City of Sarasota Sustainability Manager Stevie Freeman-Montes.
‘Since 2017, 559 trees have been planted in Sarasota through the Community Canopy program. Those trees, once mature, will have filtered approximately 25.7 million gallons of stormwater, absorbed 9,000 pounds of air pollutants and captured 3.3 million pounds of carbon. This is a real impact, creating a healthier environment and more livable Sarasota…'”
— Sarasota Magazine