Save U&CF Inflation Reduction Act Funding: Protect Our Growers, Jobs, and Cities
Take action immediately
Trees are not partisan, they are a part of our public infrastructure. Everyone gains from urban trees. Proposed funding cuts to federal grant programs are putting the IRA urban forestry projects at risk. The Urban and Community Forestry grants awarded in the Inflation Reduction Act have huge implications for the economic health of California and the quality of life for all people who live here. Read the Urban Forestry Economic Impact Report here.
Please ask your representative to contact the USDA and tell them: the IRA Urban and Community Forestry grants are important for business for growers. 100,000+ trees needed to be grown for these programs and tree nurseries were gearing up for contract growing in increasing inventory. Private industry was providing tree trimming, removals, management plans, and inventories.
Urban forests provide communities with:
Private sector jobs
Increased property values
Improved health outcomes
Lower temperatures
Resilient cities
In 2021, the U&CF sector contributed:
$7 billion to direct economic contribution
$4.1 billion in value-added,
supporting 78,000 full—and part-time jobs.
The USDA issued 130 million in grants to California via the Urban and Community forestry program.
These 40+ projects spanned the state, aimed at job creation, innovation in the nursery and tree care industries, and increased canopy cover in California’s town and cities.
All grants are frozen, and all were required to contain keywords that target them for cancellation: Justice 40, disadvantaged communities, climate change
We need to make the point to Brooke Rollins at the USDA that these funds help growers in our state. PLEASE LET IRA GRANTEES REVISE THEIR PROJECTS AND CONTINUE WORKING. Show your support for growers, nurseries, tree care companies, and urban communities by taking action below.
-
Find your representative.
We are sending letters to our representatives to show support for continued funding of urban forestry grants and the businesses that rely on them. These grants play a crucial role in sustaining local nurseries, tree care companies, and community projects that improve our cities. Find your local House representative and senators at the link below.
-
Use your voice.
Write to each of your representatives using the contact information from the link on the left. Below are links to draft letters tailored specifically to your role—whether you represent a nursery, tree care company, community organization, or are an individual supporter. Select the version most relevant to you, personalize it with your information, and help us ensure continued funding for these essential urban forestry grants.
-
Spread the word.
Help amplify our message by spreading the word on social media! The more people who contact their representatives, the greater the pressure to keep this vital funding in place. Share this page, post about why urban forestry grants matter, and encourage others to write letters. Use hashtags like #SaveUrbanAndCommunityForestryGrants, #SupportOurGrowers, #SaveUrbanForests, and #ProtectTreeNurseries to reach more people. Tag your representatives to make sure they see the public support. Every post, share, and comment helps build momentum—let’s make our voices heard!