How you can help increase the number of trees planted in your community and combat climate change

By Evan Dawson,

Published April 22, 2024 at 3:17 PM EDT

Four smiling men wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: A man front left has short brown hair and is wearing a blue button-down shirt and blue tie; a man back left has short white hair and is wearing a red-orange shirt; a man back right is bald and has a grey beard and is wearing glasses, a red and black stiped shirt and a black vest; and a man at right has short dark hair and is wearing a blue pullover. — (foreground) Andrew Place, (background) Daryl Odhner and John Kastner on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Monday, April 22, 2024

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.

Local municipalities and community groups are working to increase the number of trees in the Rochester area.

The City of Rochester is currently updating its Urban Forestry Master Plan. Part of that effort includes residents becoming "tree ambassadors." Meanwhile, the local chapter of the Sierra Club is gearing up for its annual tree giveaway event.

This hour, we explore how community members can take a hands-on approach to creating more green spaces in their neighborhoods and how that can help combat climate change.

In studio:

Andrew Place, city forester for the City of Rochester
John Kastner, member of the executive board for the Rochester Regional of the Sierra Club
Daryl Odhner, board member for the Rochester Regional Sierra Club, and tree enthusiast