A key way to stimulate the economy is through the creation of a green workforce.  A green workforce would employ men and women in improving and restoring our nation’s landscapes.  We must rebuild the green infrastructure as we rebuild the gray infrastructure.  Just as President Franklin Roosevelt filled the need for jobs by putting people to work improving the environment, we urge our leaders today to put the funding in this economic stimulus package to work where it can do the most good for people and the environment.   

The language in the legislation was written to give government flexibility to create jobs and quickly get the money on-the-ground for ‘shovel ready’ projects.  Projects to restore the environment in both urban and rural areas will also improve the local economies and the quality of life of all Americans.

The final bill includes $500 million for Forest Service “hazardous fuels reduction and forest health and ecosystem improvement activities” using “all authorities available to the Forest Service.”  We will work with the Forest Service to ensure projects create both jobs and a greener future.  This should include wildland restoration, as well as urban forest tree planting and improvement projects. 

The legislation also includes $16.8 billion for the Department of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  $3.2 billion of that amount is to be made available for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG).  Cities and counties around the country will receive EECBG funds directly and we encourage those local governments to consider shade tree planting as an easy, cost effective way to conserve energy around buildings.  As few as three strategically-paced trees around a home can cut air-conditioning costs and energy use by one-half!

American Forests looks forward to working with agency and local partners on the implementation of the economic stimulus bill. 

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American Forests works with communities to restore and maintain forest ecosystems. Our work encompasses planting trees, calculating the value of urban forests, fostering environmental education, and improving public policy for trees. We have planted more than 25 million trees in ecosystem restoration projects since 1989. Our goal is to plant 100 million trees by 2020. For more information visit www.americanforests.org or contact Dan Smith at DSmith@amfor.org, (202)737-1944 x203.