Green theme growing in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD - Green was the theme yesterday as various representatives of the city and private sector gathered to discuss efforts to beautify Springfield and improve its environment.

The officials gathered at ReStore Home Improvement Center, 250 Albany St., to announce the city's accomplishments and latest initiatives on environmental issues in advance of the Earth Day observation on Sunday.

Mayor Charles V. Ryan said the city is committed to promote open space and urban forestry,.

"This is something that goes from Indian Orchard to the South End, we really want to take and build upon this whole image and impression of our city as a city that values green spaces, that puts its money where its mouth is," Ryan said. "I think it is going to be a very exciting situation for all our residents and all our visitors."

Ryan said some of the highlights of Springfield's efforts and accomplishments include:

Country Home magazine rated Springfield this year as the fourth greenest city in America, rating 379 metropolitan areas.

Springfield was named a "Tree City USA" community by the National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.

The proposed city budget for the new fiscal year includes more than $1.2 million to plant 1,300 to 1,400 new trees, that also continues a $1 million program of removing dangerous trees begun last year.

A massive citywide cleanup is planned in Springfield on Saturday as part of the Keep Springfield Beautiful campaign. More than 3,000 volunteers are anticipated.

Ryan has signed the "U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement," which in part urges the state and federal governments to enact policies and programs "to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012."

The press conference yesterday was held at ReStore, a nonprofit enterprise that accepts donated home improvement materials and sells them to the public at lower prices. Country Home magazine recognized ReStore as a unique element of the city's "green lifestyle."

Others taking part in yesterday's press conference included: Ivette E. Cruz, senior project manager of Keep Springfield Beautiful; David B. Panagore, the city's chief development officer; and John E. Majercak, director of ReStore.