In response to the U.S. House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2023 bill, American Forests president and chief executive officer Jad Daley released the following statement:

Congress has taken a meaningful step forward on climate justice for our communities by including $55 million for the Healthy Streets program in the House Transportation Appropriations bill. Trees are life-saving infrastructure and offer our best protection against extreme heat and poor air quality. By combining increased tree canopy with smart surface solutions, the Healthy Streets program will improve health, provide energy savings, and create jobs in the neighborhoods impacted the most by rising temperatures and pollution, saving U.S. cities one tree at a time.

American Forests thanks subcommittee Chair David Price (D-NC), Vice Chair Mike Quigley (D-IL), Ranking Member Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD), Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) for their leadership in providing the funding needed to implement the Healthy Streets program established in last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill. Their work to bring critical investments to our streets and our sidewalks will deliver immediate on-the-ground benefits across the country, and American Forests looks forward to working with Congress to ensure these vital funds are included in the final bill.