[ECO]Arbor Day Foundation Funds 18 Community Urban Forest Projects

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The Arbor Day Foundation has awarded $4.7 million in grants to 18 community-based nonprofits for urban forest projects in underserved areas.

The Arbor Day Foundation has announced a significant investment in urban forest projects, awarding $4.7 million in grants to 18 community-based nonprofits across the ******* States. This funding, part of the Foundation’s Community Roots Program, aims to strengthen urban forests in disadvantaged areas, promote environmental justice, and enhance climate resilience.

The

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, awarded in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, were made possible through Inflation Reduction Act funds. The Community Roots Program’s first phase attracted substantial interest, with over 230 organizations applying for funding, underscoring the widespread need for urban forestry initiatives.

Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, emphasized the critical role of trees in urban environments. “Trees are a critical part of building healthy and resilient cities,” Lambe stated. He noted that the overwhelming response to the Community Roots Program highlights the pressing need for continued investment in urban and community forestry.

The 18 selected nonprofits will use the funding for various urban forest projects focused on planting trees, expanding green spaces, and addressing environmental issues in communities identified as having the greatest need. These areas were determined using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

The urban forest project focuses range from tackling urban heat island effects to aiding in natural disaster recovery and establishing food forests. The diversity of projects reflects the multifaceted benefits that urban forestry can provide to communities facing environmental challenges.

Urban heat island effects are a significant concern in many cities. Studies have shown that areas with high tree coverage can be up to 10°F cooler than areas with little vegetation. This temperature difference can have substantial impacts on energy consumption, air quality, and human health. By targeting underserved areas, the urban forest project grants aim to address disparities in urban heat exposure and its associated risks.

Among the grant recipients is the Alief Super Neighborhood Council in Texas, which will implement the Alief Arbor Initiative. In North Carolina, the Alliance for Cape ***** Trees plans to improve canopy coverage through integrated tree care and community outreach in Wilmington.

Several urban forest projects target specific urban areas known for their need for increased green space. Beyond Housing will focus on tree canopy restoration in St. Louis, Missouri, while Friends of the Urban Forest will implement an “Adopt-A-Yard-Tree” program in San Francisco, California.

The urban forest project grants also support initiatives addressing food security and community engagement. Denver Urban Gardens in Colorado will use their funding for the “Dig Deeper Initiative: Food Forests” project. In Mississippi, the Children’s Museum-Meridian plans to create a “Deep Roots Urban Pocket Park.”

Some recipients aim to expand existing programs. Forest ReLeaf of Missouri will use the funds to grow its CommuniTree Program across Missouri and into Kansas City. The Sacramento Tree Foundation in California plans to bolster its community forests and education efforts.

The Community Roots Program is part of a larger funding initiative. In 2023, the USDA Forest Service awarded the Arbor Day Foundation a $50 million grant through the Inflation Reduction Act. Of this total, $27 million has already been subawarded to municipalities in 14 states.

The Foundation is now preparing for the second phase of the Community Roots Program, which will allocate $8 million specifically to Tribes and Tribal organizations nationwide. Applications for this phase remain open until September 30, 2024.

This initiative comes at a time when urban areas are increasingly recognizing the

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. Urban forests provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effects, enhanced stormwater management, and increased property values. They also offer psychological benefits to residents, contributing to overall community well-being.

In terms of climate resilience, urban forest projects play a crucial role. Trees act as natural air filters, removing pollutants and reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. They also help manage stormwater runoff, decreasing flood risks in urban areas. Urban forests also help wildlife and plant biodiversity,

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in areas where creatures have largely become extirpated. By increasing tree cover, cities can better adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, such as more frequent heatwaves and intense rainfall events.

The range of urban forest projects funded through this program showcases the versatility of urban forestry initiatives. From food forests in Denver to tree canopy restoration in St. Louis, each project is tailored to address specific local needs while contributing to the broader goal of creating more resilient and environmentally just cities.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s approach of partnering with local organizations ensures that the funds will be used effectively, with urban forest projects designed and implemented by those who understand the unique challenges and opportunities in each community.

As cities continue to grow and face increasing environmental pressures, programs like the Community Roots initiative play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of urban forests are equitably distributed. By focusing on disadvantaged areas, the program aims to address historical imbalances in green space access and environmental quality.

Here’s the list of urban forest project grant awardees grouped by region of the ******* States:

Northeast:

1. Newport Tree Conservancy in Newport, Rhode Island, aims to increase tree canopy and environmental stewardship.
2. Speak for the Trees will develop NeighborWoods in Boston, Massachusetts.
3. ReTreeUs plans to grow roots of environmental justice through school and community orchard capacity building across various communities in Maine and New Hampshire.

Mid-Atlantic:

1. Alliance for Cape ***** Trees in Wilmington, North Carolina, aims to improve the canopy through integrated tree care and community outreach.
2. Friends of the Rappahannock will expand urban and community forestry opportunities in various Virginia communities within the Rappahannock and York River Watershed.

Southeast:

1. The Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian plans to create a Deep Roots Urban Pocket Park in Meridian, Mississippi.
2. Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL) aims to
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   New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward in Louisiana.

Midwest:

1. Beyond Housing will focus on tree canopy restoration in St. Louis, Missouri.
2. Forest ReLeaf of Missouri will expand its CommuniTree Program across Kansas City, St. Louis, and other Missouri communities.
3. Friends of Bellefontaine ********* will enhance community and ecological health through tree management in St. Louis, Missouri.
4. Tree Trust will focus on cooling Northern Dakota County in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area of Minnesota.

West:

1. Denver Urban Gardens plans to establish food forests in Denver, Colorado.
2. Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry will focus on transforming urban canopies in Jackson County, Oregon, through their Rogue Valley’s Treesilience project.
3. Friends of the Urban Forest will implement an Adopt-A-Yard-Tree program in San Francisco, California.
4. Roytens Enrichment Academy Community Hope (REACH) will sow community roots together through their TreeVitalize project in California City, California.
5. The Sacramento Tree Foundation plans to enhance community forests and education in Sacramento, California.

Southwest:

1. The Alief Super Neighborhood Council will implement the Alief Arbor Initiative in Alief, Texas.

Pacific Northwest:

Serve Ethiopians Washington will implement the South King County Tree Captains program in Seattle, Washington.

The success of these urban

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could serve as models for other cities and organizations looking to enhance their urban forestry efforts. As climate change and urbanization continue to shape our environment, the lessons learned from these initiatives may prove invaluable in creating more sustainable and livable cities for all residents.

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