Indianapolis celebrates planting its 30,000th tree

The city of Indianapolis celebrated a tree planting milestone Thursday. An event at Willard Park on the city’s Near Eastside marked the planting of the 30,000th tree, meeting the city’s goal two years ahead of time.

The Thrive Plan laid out sustainability objectives in 2019.  Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the Thrive Plan is the city’s first sustainability and resilience action plan.

“It lays out our action items, it lays out our goals, it lays out our benchmarks, that will move our city into a cleaner and more healthier future,” Hogsett said.

Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd said the plan also aims for inclusivity by planting trees in neighborhoods with less greenspace.

“And when it’s done in the strategic way that it has been done, intentionally increasing the number of trees where they’re most needed, it’s a matter of environmental justice,” Boyd said.

The city partners with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful for tree planting efforts.  A denser urban canopy can help improve flooding, cooling and air quality.