September 23, 2024 - The City of Ann Arbor is pleased to have been awarded $1,000,000 in grant funding from American Forests to advance Tree Equity locally. The funding from American Forests — a national conservation nonprofit — is part of the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Grants from American Forests' Tree Equity Catalyst Fund aim to specifically resource community leaders who are on the frontlines of building Tree Equity in their communities with both technical knowledge and funding to take action on building equitable tree canopy where it is most needed.
Through this grant, Ann Arbor will be able to update the community's tree canopy assessment to identify gaps in our urban forest, implement private property tree planting and maintenance programs at no cost to residents, undertake ecologically-driven stewardship work within our parks, and conduct a feasibility study for the creation of a City- and/or County-owned tree nursery and agricultural demonstration site. This work plays a crucial role in advancing Tree Equity in historically disinvested communities. Tree Equity is more than just a solution—it's a transformative strategy for climate justice. Trees are invaluable assets in our urban landscapes, providing essential shade, improving air quality, and managing stormwater. These benefits are crucial for mitigating the impacts of extreme heat and severe storms. Beyond their environmental advantages, trees also enhance our well-being and stimulate economic opportunities.
Investments like this in Ann Arbor are critical. According to American Forests' renowned Tree Equity Score, lower-income communities tend to have 26% less tree cover and are almost 6°F hotter than wealthier ones. Communities of color – regardless of income – tend to have 38% less tree cover and are 13°F hotter than white communities.
“Trees are vital infrastructure to help reduce the impacts of extreme heat, build a more resilient community, and improve public safety. I look forward to working with American Forests, its partners, and our community to expand and maintain our urban forest and strengthen community engagement, reforestation, and maintenance work" said Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.
“American Forests is proud to support organizations and municipalities and provide them with the funding and tools for community-driven action toward equitable tree canopy," said Benita Hussain, Chief Program Officer of Tree Equity at American Forests. “We are excited to embark on this partnership together with the City of Ann Arbor to create healthier, more climate-resilient communities."
To find out more about American Forests' Tree Equity movement and the Catalyst Initiative opportunities, visit www.americanforests.org. To learn more about Ann Arbor's forestry and natural features work, visit www.a2gov.org/forestry, www.a2gov.org/10ktrees, and www.a2gov.org/nap.
USDA, American Forests and the City of Ann Arbor are equal opportunity providers and employers.
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ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS: American Forests is the first national nonprofit conservation organization created in the U.S. Since its founding in 1875, the organization has been the pathfinders for the forest conservation movement. Its mission is to create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. The organization advances its mission through forestry, innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. For more information visit: www.americanforests.org.
Contacts:
Tiffany Giacobazzi, Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Planning Coordinator, [email protected]
Remy Long, Parks and Recreation Deputy Manager, [email protected]
Sean Reynolds, Senior Analyst - Office of Sustainability and Innovations, [email protected]
