Neighborhoods in West and Southwest Philadelphia have seen significant environmental improvements due to the efforts of Deeply Rooted, a collaboration involving over 25 local community organizations, Penn Medicine, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The initiative has resulted in the planting of more than 1,000 trees and the cleaning and greening of over 1,000 vacant lots. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has played a strategic role in these greening efforts.
Since its inception in spring 2022, Deeply Rooted has distributed over $212,000 through 79 “Community Green Grants.” These grants fund projects that focus on nature appreciation and care. Initiatives supported include providing Indego bike share subscriptions for a bicycling group called “Black Girl Joyride,” funding yoga classes and gardening education in community gardens, and supporting neighborhood cleanup events.
Deeply Rooted has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to increase tree cover around West Philadelphia schools. The program employs evidence-backed interventions like tree planting to counteract systemic disinvestment effects in Black communities. Eugenia (Gina) South from Penn Medicine noted that “the community response to Deeply Rooted is extremely positive.”
Vanesa Karamanian from CHOP highlighted that access to green spaces is crucial for health equity: “Children who grow up with access to green space and trees are more likely to lead healthier lives free of conditions like asthma and obesity.”
The partnership with the School District complements their GreenFutures initiative. Toni Damon from Middle Years Alternative emphasized that Deeply Rooted helps improve both student knowledge about environmental justice and physical school environments.
With PHS’s help, educational programs have been established at schools like Middle Years Alternative and Parkway West High School. These programs teach students about street tree species, greening impacts on health, and environmental career opportunities. Will Brown from Parkway West High School stressed the importance of these discussions for students’ understanding of their community roles.
Research indicates that cleaning vacant lots and planting trees can reduce crime by making areas less attractive for illegal activities. South stated that “health justice means that all people feel safe and have the opportunity to be healthy in their communities.”
Deeply Rooted was established by Penn Medicine’s Urban Health Lab as part of the Center for Health Justice with an initial $6 million investment from Penn Medicine and CHOP’s Healthier Together Initiative.
