Elmira Urban Green Equity Project

What is it?

The Elmira Urban Green Equity (EUGE) Project aims to deliver high-quality outreach, education, resources, and implementation tools informed by the community for use in future green equity-based projects in the city of Elmira. The goal of this project is to increase planning efforts for and support green space care and development to combat the effects of climate change. EUGE is funded through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services as a Hazard Mitigation Planning project.

Reunion 2022: Alumni observe a quiet moment at the tent parties (Image by Noël Heaney).

Who is involved?

Anyone in the community who would like to provide input! Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Chemung County was awarded this 3-year planning grant in 2023 and organizes the planning efforts in Elmira. EUGE aims to serve marginalized neighborhoods in Elmira to enhance green equity and environmental justice goals. Please see our events calendar for EUGE-related community events, as well as other CCE program events.

Colah B. Tawkin, Black Plant media curator and storyteller, leads a tree planting session at the Ithaca Children’s Garden (Image by Sreang "C" Hok).

Why is it important?

Green spaces and resulting ecosystem services are not equitably distributed throughout Elmira, which results in weakening infrastructure, health and safety risks, and a compromised environment that negatively impacts residents and the surrounding watershed. Examples of unequal climate impacts to underserved neighborhoods include:

• Pavement and lack of shade increases temperatures, resulting in urban heat islands, which may increase medical emergencies related to heat
• Localized flooding and/or ponding occurs when there is not adequate soil and plant material to soak up runoff rainwater, which may lead to erosion and weakening roadway and stormwater infrastructures
• Air quality decreases with less trees and plants filtering pollutants, which may lead to increasing rates of respiratory diseases, such as asthma

The restoration and implementation of green spaces in our most socially vulnerable districts would yield the greatest regional benefits by mitigating these climate threats such as flooding, extreme heat, and pollution.

Trees provide a variety of benefits (Image by Rachel Jones via Canva.com).

National Tree Benefit Calculator

Interested in understanding more about the value of trees? This Tree Benefit Calculator allows you to make an estimation of the benefits of individual trees and overall canopy benefits in your community and within the continental US.

Greening projects to increase tree canopy and vegetative cover focused on underserved neighborhoods drastically improve the financial, social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of residents, and positively impacts the environmental health and security of the greater region. Benefits provided by urban tree cover include:

• Air, water, and soil pollutant filtration
• Indoor and environmental temperature control
• Improved stormwater drainage and soil retention
• Healthy environment to support wildlife and diverse food systems
• Beautification to neighborhoods, increasing recreation and well-being
• Community connection and safety
• Higher functioning infrastructure
• Economic benefits to homeowners and businesses

This graphic depicts EUGE project goals as leafy tree canopies, with important community-based pillars below as supporting tree trunks (Image by Rachel Jones via Canva.com).

How can I get involved?

Community stakeholder input is essential to the process of determining safe, effective, and efficient procedures to implement green infrastructure and maintain green spaces. From this, community educator resources will be developed that will support residents, homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, community groups, and municipalities in replicating those procedures and identifying priority sites for future implementation projects. Through the development of meaningful partnerships and community connections, EUGE will facilitate the delivery of environmental and aesthetic benefits that will improve overall well-being within Elmira and the county. 

Community programs to get involved may include:

• Neighborhood tree walks
• Expert panels and lectures
• Tabling and activities at community events
• Tree planting demonstrations
• Resident tree sales or drives
• Citizen science projects
• Block club tree committees
• Public meetings
• Targeted outreach
• And more!

Attend one of our community events listed on our events page, or contact Program Coordinator, Simone White, at 607-734-4453 ext. 215 or email slw257@cornell.edu to get involved.

Are you interested in learning more the health of trees on your property?

Check out Chemung County's Tree Mitigation Program page for more information and links to videos about tree health, how to plant a tree, root health, decay, and more!

CCE puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and research-based solutions together, helping New York state families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 4, 2025