In response to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 framework released today, American Forests vice president of urban forest policy Joel Pannell released the following statement:

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 framework released today takes a monumental step toward addressing climate change by coupling an urgently needed 40 percent reduction in U.S. carbon emissions over the next decade with the incredible, multifold benefits of planting trees, managing forests, and expanding urban tree canopy. These investments build on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to deliver a transformational $1.5 billion for urban and community forestry, the largest-ever investment in this crucial program that will help cool our cities and save lives. American Forests applauds Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Joe Manchin and other Congressional leaders for their perseverance and commitment to investing in the health of our forests and our communities throughout the nation.

In addition to these robust urban and community forestry investments, the bill allocates $450 million in voluntary climate-smart forestry conservation incentives for private forest landowners; $100 million for wood innovation grants; $700 million for the Forest Legacy Program; $50 million for an inventory of old-growth and mature forests in the National Forest System; and $2 billion for wildfire risk reduction and landscape recovery. Together, these comprehensive nature-based solutions will mean cleaner air, cooler communities, healthier people and more carbon stored over the next decade. We urge Congress to pass this legislation as quickly as possible to build on the infrastructure bill’s investments in forests and amplify the power of trees in America.