What happened: Representatives of a statewide Trees as a Public Good network and municipal and nonprofit forestry advocates testified in support of the bond’s tree and forest line items but requested stronger, clearer language and larger funding to create a durable municipal reforestation program and to protect state forests as reserves.

Why it matters: Witnesses said urban and regional tree cover reduces heat‑island impacts, improves air and water quality, and provides health benefits to underserved neighborhoods. They argued the $30,000,000 tree‑planting authorization in the bill should be larger and should deliberately prioritize native species, workforce development and in‑state nursery capacity to meet multi‑year demand.

Policy asks: Speakers urged the committee to adopt specific municipal reforestation language (citing H1013 / S553) to make funds only available to municipalities and tribal governments (not to subsidize private clearing), to expand nursery capacity in Massachusetts to ensure supply, and to add funding for training the next generation of urban foresters and tree‑care workers. Groups also asked that state forests intended as long‑term climate and biodiversity stores be placed under higher protection consistent with reserve proposals already filed as bills.

Next steps: The coalition asked the committee to incorporate the municipal reforestation bill or equivalent language into the bond package and to coordinate funding for supply chain and workforce development so plantings succeed and are maintained.