"U.S. cities that have been forced to rely on nonprofit groups and corporations to drive tree-planting efforts and boosting their urban “canopy” could soon get a new ally—the federal government.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill (H.R. 3684) moving in the Senate this week would expand federal support for mapping gaps via a Healthy Streets Program. The bill, which authorizes $100 million a year for five years under a federal grant program, also would put more efforts into tree cover for the poorest neighborhoods, where sidewalks are more rarely shaded from mature trees.
The funding could cover the purchasing and planting of trees and development of tree canopy plans. It also would encourage cities to use porous pavement—more permeable types of concrete, asphalt, and pavers—to absorb stormwater and reduce urban hot spots.
“Trees follow wealth,” said Leslie Berckes, director of programs for Trees Forever, a nonprofit based in Des Moines, Iowa. “Underresourced communities don’t have as many trees. We see that with increased concrete,” she said, and trees “in poorer shape” in lower-income neighborhoods."
Dean Scott and Stephen Lee report for Bloomberg Environment August 4, 2021.
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