American Forests President and CEO Jad Daley issued the following statement in response to the $32 million increase in federal funding for the Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program. The increase is in the FY 2020 Appropriations legislation that was sent to President Donald Trump December 19, 2019 to be signed into law.

“We are excited to see Congress recognize the importance of city and rural community trees by increasing funding for the Urban and Community Forestry Program to $32 million—the highest level in nearly 20 years. The funding is sorely needed, given the role of trees in combatting climate change and creating social equity.

It is heartening to see Congress recognize the importance of trees and the need to prevent the spread of invasive tree pests – which are devastating local communities – by increasing funding for the Urban and Community Forestry Program.  At the same time, local communities need more help. Despite our best efforts, every year we lose tens of millions of local trees and are only able to replant a fraction of them.

American Forests thanks the chairmen and ranking member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittees – Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and David Joyce (R-OH), and Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Udall (D-NM) – and other leaders in Congress who worked hard to increase funding for this vital program. We look forward to growing the impact and funding for Urban and Community Forestry.”