The Biden-Harris administration is taking a major step towards increasing access to trees and green spaces in cities and neighborhoods across the United States. Through the Investing in America program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has committed $1 billion in competitive grants to approximately 400 projects. This initiative aims to combat extreme heat and climate change, promote public health and safety, and improve access to nature.
The funding, provided by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which is the largest climate investment in history. Communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Tribal Nations will benefit from this funding. The grant applications chosen by the Forest Service focus on providing equitable access to trees and nature, while also addressing important issues such as regulating air temperature, enhancing air quality, and fostering food security.
The Urban and Community Forestry Program, administered by the Forest Service, is responsible for distributing the funding to organizations in various regions. This program is the only federal initiative dedicated to improving and expanding the nation's urban forest resources. The commitment to urban and community forests through the Inflation Reduction Act is the largest to date.
President Biden's Investing in America plan aims to achieve environmental justice, create economic opportunities, and establish a clean energy economy nationwide. The grants for increasing access to trees and green spaces align with this agenda and contribute to the Justice40 Initiative. This initiative ensures that federal investments benefit underserved and disadvantaged communities that are burdened by pollution and lack of investment.
The Forest Service received a total of 842 grant applications, highlighting the significant need for more urban trees across the country. Community-based organizations, Tribes, local and state governments, non-profit partners, colleges, and other qualified entities were eligible for the award funds. This investment in trees and green spaces will have far-reaching benefits for communities, improving quality of life, public health, and the overall environment.
See also:
- More than 84% of Americans live, work, and play in cities, towns, and suburbs, where the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has announced it will award more than $1 billion in competitive grants to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature. The Justice40 Initiative, the largest climate investment in history, is providing funding to communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as many U.S. Territories and Tribal Nations. This funding is made possible by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.
- The Forest Service chose 385 grant applications from organizations striving to provide equitable access to trees and nature, as well as the advantages they offer for regulating air temperature, enhancing air quality, and fostering food security, public health, and safety. Through the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program, funding was given to organizations in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, three Pacific islands with ties to the United States, and many Tribes.
The only federal program in existence with the exclusive purpose of improving and increasing the nation's urban forest resources is the Urban and Community Forestry Program. This USDA Inflation Reduction Act commitment in urban and community forests is the largest one to date.
- The goal of President Biden's Investing in America plan is to achieve environmental justice, create economic opportunity, and establish a clean energy economy on a national scale. This announcement is a part of that agenda. The grants are funded by contributions from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which is a cornerstone of Bidenomics and the greatest climate investment in history. The Urban and Community Forestry Program is a component of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to make sure that the overall advantages of specific federal investments reach underprivileged communities who are disenfranchised, underserved, and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.Community-based organizations, Tribes, local and state governments, non-profit partners, colleges, and other qualified entities were all eligible for the award funds. The Forest Service received 842 applications in all, asking for $6.4 billion in financing, demonstrating the pressing need for additional urban trees to be planted and maintained across the country.
-
Study shows fentanyl-laced stimulant deaths have increased dramatically
September 15, 2023
-
Smith holds child trafficking hearing: ‘Unaccompanied minors coming across our southern border may be the new victims’
September 15, 2023
-
Mexico border called deadliest in the world: ‘These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action’
September 15, 2023
-
Cartel and Mexican State collusion: Complex issue, and major factor in the continued operation of criminal drug organizations in Mexico
September 14, 2023
-
Information Technology Industry Council applauds release of draft of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Supply Chain Agreement
September 14, 2023
