Slavic Village Development Green Team

Slavic Village Development (SVD) has been a close partner of the Cleveland Tree Coalition (CTC) over the past five years, orchestrating multiple projects, including a planting at the pocket park on Worley Avenue and tree giveaways. Their Green Team has been an integral part of maintaining the trees throughout the neighborhood and their supporting their status as an EcoDistrict. Green Team members are recruited and manager by SVD. Green Team members are residents who want to get involved and oftentimes have completed local tree stewardship training programs.  

Much of their planting is done in a residential setting. Residents can receive a tree in their front yard, side yards, or tree lawn. SVD’s focus on tree lawns and private yards is done with an eye toward community members who want to have an active role in improving their properties, whether as renters or homeowners. According to Krystal Sierra, Director of Neighborhood Planning at SVD, "Planting these trees is a quality-of-life improvement for all residents and shouldn’t be neglected amidst the many problems the neighborhood faces.”

In addition to CTC projects, the Green Team supports Slavic Village in other clean-up, planting, and community-based events. Slavic Village Development’s work demonstrates the value of having a dedicated team to “green” the neighborhood. 

TL;DR 

Who: Slavic Village Development

What: Supporting a Green Team 

Where: Slavic Village neighborhood on the east side

When: 2020-2025 

How: Through CTC and HUTC grant funds, residents, dedicated staff at the Community Development Corporation, volunteers and community support.