Assemblymember Rivera Announces $20,000 in State Aid for Re-Tree WNY to Assist in Re-Foresting Efforts in Buffalo
Funding will continue tree recovery efforts begun in the aftermath of the 2006 October Storm, and will help shade West Side neighborhoods
BUFFALO, NY – New York State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera announced today that he secured $20,000 in state funding to support Re-Tree WNY, a local non-profit dedicated to reforesting Buffalo and the greater Western New York region.
The funding will be used specifically for much-needed plantings in Buffalo’s West Side, Black Rock, and Riverside neighborhoods.
Re-Tree WNY was established in the wake of the 2006 October Surprise Storm, a catastrophic lake-effect snowstorm that dumped two feet of snow on the region in roughly 16 hours. With trees still in full leaf, the storm’s heavy, wet snow (more than 9.8 pounds per square foot) caused widespread devastation, snapping limbs and uprooting entire trees.1
The storm damaged an estimated 90% of Buffalo’s tree population, including the loss of 57,000 trees on public streets and in parks, 11,100 of which were in Buffalo alone. 2
In response, a trio of non-profit organizations — Re-Tree WNY, the Buffalo Green Fund, and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy — emerged to spearhead efforts to reforest the region and protect its future canopy. Since then, Re-Tree WNY has helped plant over 31,000 trees across the Buffalo-Niagara region, with work spanning both parks and residential neighborhoods.
While planting efforts have progressed throughout Western New York, neighborhoods in Buffalo have faced greater challenges due to aging infrastructure and municipal budget constraints. The newly secured funding will help address this disparity by bringing new plantings to the West Side, Black Rock, and Riverside, which are areas in need of increased canopy coverage and environmental investment.
Re-Tree’s mission has never been more critical than it is today. As climate change drives hotter, more intense summers, trees play an essential role in cooling urban neighborhoods, reducing heat island effects, and improving air quality. Tree canopies provide shade and shelter for vulnerable residents, lower energy consumption, and enhance stormwater management.
A 2021 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the most underserved communities are least able to prepare for, and recover from, extreme heat waves, poor air quality, flooding and other climate-related events.3
Black individuals are projected to face higher impacts of climate change, with 40% more likely to currently live in areas with the highest projected increases in deaths related to extreme temperatures, the report found.
Hispanic people have high participation in weather-exposed industries, such as construction and agriculture, which are especially vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures, according to the EPA.
These communities typically lack affordable, quality housing, and so are more vulnerable to the damage that comes with extreme weather events.
Re-Tree’s recent work in Johnson Park also has an added relevancy.
In August 2024, an EF-1 tornado ripped through downtown Buffalo, bringing winds of up to 90 mph and cutting a 300-yard-wide damage path through the city, six times the average width for such storms. The tornado caused significant damage to the urban canopy, including at Johnson Park, where Re-Tree WNY has since begun replanting efforts.
The Fillmore City Council District includes more than 7,000 trees, most of which are Maple and Norway trees, according to the City of Buffalo’s Bureau of Forestry.4
Today, Re-Tree WNY is composed of government officials, attorneys, park staff, community activists, volunteers, media professionals, and other local leaders who are committed to preserving Buffalo’s greenspaces. The group organizes public tree plantings twice per year in spring and late fall, with the next planting event scheduled for early November.
To learn more about Re-Tree WNY, visit https://re-treewny.org/
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Buffalo’s tree canopy is a defining feature of our neighborhoods, and it’s vital we continue investing in the people and organizations working tirelessly to preserve and protect it. This funding will directly support Re-Tree WNY’s mission of revitalizing our city’s natural assets, especially in neighborhoods that require increased investment to minimize the impact of our hotter summers.”
Fillmore District Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski said, “Urban areas need trees. Not only do they help fight climate change, but they also make our parks and neighborhoods more vibrant, welcoming places to live and gather. When a tornado tore through my district last year, it reinforced how critical long-term green infrastructure investments are. I am thrilled for this grant, especially because part of it will support replanting efforts in the historic Johnson Park. I’m grateful to both Re-Tree WNY and Assemblymember Rivera for their continued work to strengthen our urban forest.”
Paul D. Maurer, founder and chairman of Re-Tree WNY said, “We at Re-Tree are very grateful that Assemblyman Rivera has obtained this grant for our volunteers to continue to enhance the tree canopy of Western New York. We will use it to enhance the quality of neighborhoods on Buffalo’s West Side, Black Rock, and Riverside areas.Trees are valuable to our city, which has always been known for its splendid, verdant streetscape.We will be planting these trees in November and look forward to engaging our intrepid volunteers to continue the Re-Tree effort.”
Citations
4 – https://data.buffalony.gov/stories/s/Bureau-of-Forestry/x22c-fjeg/