CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland will commit up to $1 million each year over the next 10 years toward replenishing the city’s tree canopy, Mayor Frank Jackson announced Wednesday.

Jackson made his announcement in remarks opening the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Summit – the 10th in a 10-year initiative geared toward bolstering sustainability and creating a healthier and more vibrant city.

Jackson said the efforts were spawned from a conference he attended at Case Western Reserve University a decade ago that looked at what might be done to address the impact of the recession.

“What I took away from that is … how do we create an economy that operated in such a way that it had a social compact for the well-being of the people,” Jackson said.

It became apparent, Jackson said, that any solution would have to include sustainability – creating a green city on a blue lake.

“That’s where it started,” he said.

That led to 10 years of summits, culminating in 2019, the 50th anniversary of the last time the Cuyahoga River caught fire. From those summits came a series of ambitious goals. Among them:

Reducing the city’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The city’s carbon footprint has declined about 8% over 10 years, said Matt Grey, Cleveland’s sustainability chief. “We’re making progress, but we need to move faster to reach our goal,” Gray said.

Adding green space to allow all Cleveland residents to be able to walk to a park within 10 minutes. About 81% of residents now live within 10 minutes of a park.

Pursuing 100% use of renewable electric power sources by 2050.

Efforts to promote cleaner water in the river and the lake and to delist the Cuyahoga River as a federal area of concern by 2025.

Reforestation efforts to increase Cleveland’s tree canopy to cover 30% of the city by 2030. It now is about 18%.

“We’re not there yet,” Jackson said. “But I will also say to you that we have made great strides and progress.”

Expanding the tree canopy is an idea that was raised from participants at previous summits, Jackson said. And already Cleveland has taken action.

Since 2017, Cleveland has spent millions removing dead and dying trees, enhancing parks and public areas with new trees and improving tree maintenance.

“Trees, in all their majesty, are vital to a healthy environment and a balanced nature,” City Council President Kevin Kelley said in a news release. “With trees we have cleaner air, reduced flooding and improved physical and mental health.”

Last year, the city enacted new laws that require tree preservation plans be prepared before development projects on one acre or more of land and any development project for four or more apartments, condominiums or townhomes on any sized lot.

A project could not proceed until the developer gains approval of the tree plan.

The effort Jackson announced Wednesday is similar to one Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish unveiled earlier this year as an effort to combat climate change. In April, during his state of the county address, Budish announced plans to ask County Council for $5 million over the next five years to plant thousands of trees.

Budish said more trees will mitigate higher temperatures, lessen the need for air conditioning and improve health issues. Last month the county approved spending $1 million toward that program.

Jackson’s announcement Wednesday was cheered by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

“The city of Cleveland’s $10 million commitment to plant new trees and remove dead or diseased ones is exciting news for our community’s health, wellness and economy. It is a monumental step towards a healthier and equitable environment for our urban communities," Rich Cochran, president and CEO of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, said in a news release.

“For too long Cleveland has been deprived of trees and other green spaces and we are pleased to see the city pledging its support for such an important project,” Cochran said. “Our tree canopy provides millions of dollars in benefits by absorbing air pollution, increasing property values, reducing crime and much more. We enthusiastically applaud this wise investment that will produce dividends for years to come."

Although the 2019 summit marks the end of the 10-year initiative, the efforts toward sustainability will continue, Jackson said.

Already the city has been recognized internationally for its efforts toward sustainability. It was one of just 10 in the United States to take part in the Urban Sustainability Coalition 10 years ago. Now there are more than 200 across the country.

And Cleveland was recently one of five cities to be honored for its efforts toward reducing carbon emissions.

“These rewards go to cities,” Gray told the hundreds of people at Public Auditorium attending the summit. “That’s all of us.”

A goal of the 2019 summit is to develop new ideas to improve sustainability in the city. at breakout sessions throughout the day.

“What has to happen going forward to continue working toward a sustainable Cleveland?” Gray said.