INDIANAPOLIS — Fifteen Indiana communities are getting federal funds to plant more than 1,700 trees intended to reduce pollution and boost property values.
The state Department of Natural Resources says the plantings will improve the urban tree canopy in the selected communities by improving water quality, lowering city temperatures, reducing air pollution and enhancing property values. The agency says the average tree canopy cover in Indiana's cities and towns is around 24 percent, but the national recommendation is 45 percent.
Indiana communities awarded grants for $10,000 are Dana, Fishers, Fort Wayne and Valparaiso. The other recipients are Regreening Greenfield ($8,000); Evansville ($7,500); Keep Indianapolis Beautiful ($7,500); Washington Township/Westfield ($7,500); Michigan City ($6,000); Goshen ($5,850); Kokomo ($5,000); LaPorte ($5,000); West Lafayette ($5,000); South Whitley ($4,500) and a group in Winamac ($2,000).
