Up to four new green pockets in Terre Haute’s neighborhoods will be coming after the city’s Engineering Department and City Forester received a $152,622 grant, Mayor Brandon Sakbun announced Friday.
The grant from the Inflation Reduction Act will be used for the Terre Haute Green Pockets Program and will cover workforce compensation, tree planting and community engagement.
These pockets/parkettes will provide additional city canopy cover in an effort to improve the quality of life and health of nearby residents. Further designs are required prior to announcing the locations of the green pockets, which is expected to occur in September.
Grant preparation was completed by City Forester Ana Erazo and City Planner Maitri Desai.
“We were blessed to receive federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act,” Sakbun said. “These funds help offset major costs to the city of Terre Haute and allows the administration to pursue quality of life projects through the form of green space additions. Thank you to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, our city staff and the current Federal Administration for believing in Terre Haute.
“Our city’s tree canopy needs [to be] updated,” he added. “The administration has been working to address the assessment of current trees and removal of trees that are dying. Part of this process includes adding new trees that do not interfere with right of ways or citizens homes. This program allows the city to take vacant lots that are not suitable for residential construction, due to size, and turn them into parkettes/green pockets.”
The state’s Urban Forestry Program provides guidance and grants to communities for the development and caretaking of urban forests, believing that an urban tree canopy creates environmental, economic and social benefits.
