“Trump Administration Cancels $75 Million Tree-Planting Program: Communities Left in the Heat”

The Trump administration’s decision to terminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has had a significant impact on a nationwide tree-planting initiative. The program, funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aimed to distribute $75 million in grant funding to plant shade trees in neighborhoods across the country. The goal was to make communities cooler, healthier, and more resilient to climate change.

However, in February, communities were shocked to learn that the funding for the program had been canceled. The U.S. Forest Service, in a letter terminating the contract, stated that the program no longer aligned with agency priorities regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. This decision was in compliance with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at ending such programs.

The Arbor Day Foundation, which was administering the program, expressed disappointment at the sudden cancellation. Executive Director Dan Lambe highlighted the benefits of the initiative, including job creation, economic benefits, and the creation of cooler, safer, and healthier communities.

One of the communities affected by the cancellation was the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans, a neighborhood still struggling to recover from the loss of an estimated 200,000 trees due to Hurricane Katrina. The sudden termination of funding for tree planting projects in the area was a blow to organizations like the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development and Sustaining Our Urban Landscape.

The impact of the cancellation was felt across the country, from Oregon to Tennessee. Nonprofits like Our Community Forestry in Talent, Oregon, and urban foresters in Butte, Montana, were left scrambling to find alternative funding sources for their tree-planting projects.

Despite the setback, community leaders like Arthur Johnson in New Orleans remain determined to continue their work. They are exploring other avenues for funding and are committed to planting trees to create cooler, safer, and healthier neighborhoods.

The cancellation of the federal grant may have slowed down progress, but it has not dampened the spirits of those dedicated to environmental justice and community resilience. As they navigate the challenges ahead, they remain steadfast in their commitment to building a greener, more sustainable future for all.