Research has shown that people choose to live, work, and spend their leisure time in regions with quality recreational opportunities, healthy environments, affordable housing, and easy access to amenities. And while Boston has an abundance of natural resources and beauty, maintaining and restoring those resources demands constant public and private action.

Toward this end, we have identified four areas of focus:

Open Space and Water Resources Beyond their critical roles in sustaining ecological and human systems through regulation of the environment and the recharging of water tables, open space and water resources have important social impacts. They contribute to public health and well-being, preserve the character of communities, facilitate community building, and enhance property values. We support efforts to ensure the quantity and quality of these resources and equitable access across neighborhoods. Environmental Stewardship Environmental literacy and an understanding of the importance of a healthy environment to quality of life are critical to effective stewardship and sound planning decisions. We are working to instill in urban residents a deep appreciation of their natural environment and an understanding of how human and natural systems interact by supporting experiential environmental education and recreation programs.

Environmental Justice Environmental hazards and nuisances are often disproportionately sited in low-income neighborhoods.  We are focused on ensuring that Boston residents of all backgrounds increase their ability to have meaningful democratic participation in decisions about their environment - where they live, work and play. Smart Growth Greater Boston is a complex, dynamic system influenced by many interrelated forces. We support efforts to enhance the understanding of how this system works as well as cross-sectoral regional collaboration to ensure that Boston will grow and develop in ways consistent with its long-term environmental health.

Achieving the Foundation’s environmental goals requires sustained collaborative or collective action among diverse players, including nonprofits, schools, the public sector, private funders and community residents. It also requires faster feedback and data about the intended and unintended consequences of our actions.

Barr’s approach to change is well suited to such complex systems. In tandem with our investments in grantees, we’re working to enhance collaboration and the sharing of knowledge among stakeholders.

For more information on our environmental strategies, please visit the pages dedicated to each area of focus.