The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which passed
the Senate on August 7 and the House on August
12, 2022, is a huge win for urban and commu-
nity forestry in the United States. Among the
IRA's provisions for addressing climate change
is $1.5 billion dollars over ten years for urban
and community forestry (UCF) grants for cities,
non-profits, and other entities. This is in addi-
tion to the current annual funding of $36 million
dollars for UCF grants that the Forest Service
disburses to communities via state agencies.
The new level of funding will be disbursed
directly to successful applicants through com-
petitive grants that are meant to benefit
underserved populations that historically have
disproportionately borne the brunt of climate
change, pollution, and urban development.
Society of Municipal Arborists Executive Director
Leslie Berckes says, "The Inflation Reduction
Act presents a monumental opportunity for
urban foresters to make a historic and lasting
impact in their communities. The members
who make up SMA are on the frontlines and
will be some of the critical decision makers for
how this funding is spent, through their grant
applications. City foresters should be thinking
about critical projects they want to take on and
partners to work with. Now is the time!"
City foresters and non-profits can start to
prepare for funding availability by completing
a tree inventory and evaluating tree equity via
existing tools like the American Forests Tree
Equity Score, and engaging vulnerable communi-
ties in dialogue and planning. The Forest Service
is currently developing a Climate and Economic
Justice Screening Tool that applicants should use
when the notice of available funds is issued next
year. This tool will be used by the Forest Service
application reviewers to help determine worthy
applications, and it is meant to assist in the
goals of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative.
There's much more to come about these
grants, and SMA will report on these spe-
cifics in City Trees, on the SMA website, and
in the monthly SMA e-newsletter in 2023.
SMA stands ready to help municipalities and urban
forestry managers from across the country navi-
gate this historic funding opportunity. A changing
climate means more risk for extreme heat, fire,
and more intense storms. Tree planting and main-
tenance of existing trees provides a critical tool to
combat these climate issues. The IRA will help create
healthier communities, provide a pathway for new
jobs, and overall help people that need it the most!
Urban and Community
Forestry Funding in the
Inflation Reduction Act:
What We Know Now
Photos by Leslie Berckes
urban-forestry.com 25
