Press Release: 4/6/2026
City of Lowell Awarded $173K State Grant to Advance Biodiversity in Centralville
The City of Lowell has been awarded a $173,157 Community Biodiversity Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to support the creation of new green spaces in the Centralville neighborhood through the Centralville Habitat Interconnected Restoration Project (CHIRP).
The grant is part of a $1.1M investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to fund 12 community-led initiatives across Massachusetts that protect and restore biodiversity. Lowell was the recipient of two awards through the program, including an additional $93,165 grant to UMass Lowell to support research on oyster reefs in Plum Island Sound.
CHIRP will focus on establishing biodiversity “hotspots” in Centralville, an area with limited access to greenspace, through the construction of a pollinator garden and a mini forest designed to support wildlife, improve climate resilience, and foster community engagement with the natural environment.
The pollinator meadow will be located on the hillside behind the Henry J. Robinson Middle School at 110 June St, while the mini forest will be developed on a vacant parcel at 77 13th St adjacent to the school. Plans for the mini forest include a publicly accessible walking path lined with educational signage to promote awareness and stewardship of biodiversity.
Robinson Middle School has long prioritized integrating sustainability into both its physical environment and its curriculum, making it a natural partner and location for this project.
“The Robinson Middle School students and staff are looking forward to the pollinator meadow,” said Bridget Dowling, Principal of the Robinson Middle School. “We believe it will be a vibrant, living classroom that brings science and sustainability to life. The native plants, buzzing with bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, will provide students with a daily reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship. This beautiful space will not only support local ecosystems, but will also inspire curiosity, responsibility, and pride in caring for our shared environment.”
"This is a long-advocated investment for the Centralville neighborhood, and the district is excited to see it moving forward,” said Lowell City Councilor Corey Robinson, who represents District 2. “The pollinator garden offers a cost-effective approach to stabilizing the hillside, reducing erosion, and improving overall quality of life. At the same time, its low-maintenance design supports our Department of Public Works by easing routine upkeep demands and advancing more innovative, sustainable solutions.”
The project will incorporate native plantings to support pollinators and local wildlife, along with educational signage to increase public awareness and encourage environmental stewardship.
CHIRP aligns with the goals of the Lowell Forward Master Plan by advancing strategies to build climate resilience, promote carbon neutrality, and improve the equity and accessibility of parks and open space throughout Lowell.
The Massachusetts DFG’s Community Biodiversity Grant Program supports projects that enhance habitat restoration, expand urban forestry, pilot biodiversity-friendly practices, and increase public education and awareness.
The CHIRP project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026. Residents can follow project updates and learn more by visiting the City’s Urban Forest Initiative webpage at: https://www.lowellma.gov/1930/Urban-Forest-Initiative