California, along with other states, will get a share of more than $1 billion in federal money to help communities plant trees. The program is intended to reduce heat and clean the air.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that cities and towns across all 50 states will receive tree planting grants focused on disadvantaged areas, including those in Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and multiple tribal nations.
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The federal government’s plan to plant trees stemmed from funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act passed last year. The Golden State was awarded over $102 million in grants to 43 recipients, Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said on Friday.
“As extreme temperatures increasingly threaten the safety of workers and communities all across California, expanding access to shade and green spaces is more important than ever,” Padilla said in a press statement.
San Francisco Public Works's Bureau of Urban Forestry received the largest award out of all beneficiaries from the state — $12 million to “plant thousands of street trees in low-canopy communities in order to mitigate extreme heat, create green jobs, and establish climate-ready neighborhoods.”
Los Angeles County Public Works received $8 million from the grant. A $5 million grant will go toward the Los Angeles Housing Authority to “conduct a tree inventory, establish an urban food forest, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and promote community education and awareness.”
The city of San Diego was allocated $10 million, and $8 million was issued for the city of Oakland. Other California areas that will benefit from the plan to increase access to nature include Long Beach, Sacramento, and California State University, Northridge. Supporting 385 tree planting projects, other large cities across the nation that will see funding for projects include New York and Houston.
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the large investment in urban and community forests, which come amid record-breaking heat waves, was possible due to President Joe Biden’s agenda and will strengthen the nation’s economy.
“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are supporting communities in becoming more resilient to climate change and combatting extreme heat with the cooling effects of increased urban tree canopy, while also supporting employment opportunities and professional training that will strengthen local economies,” Vilsack said.