Nationwide Urban Tree Planting Initiative — Funding Cancelled
Issue tracker and action guide
Updated:
Jun 15, 2025
US Nationwide
Summary
Trump - citing his directive against DEI - cancelled $75 million in grants to over 100 nonprofit organizations that funded tree planting initiatives in cities and towns across the country.
What's Happening
- Urban Forestry Partnership: Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, provided funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to nonprofits engaged in urban forestry projects in neighborhoods with low tree cover.
- Funding Cancelled: The Trump Administration - citing a directive prohibiting DEI programs - cancelled $75 million in funding that was set to fund over 100 nonprofit urban tree planting initiatives.
Why It Matters
- Urban trees cool cities and protect lives: Urban forests help reduce surface and air temperatures. In the U.S., it’s estimated that urban trees prevent approximately 1,200 heat-related deaths each year.
- Severe Consequences: These funding cuts jeopardize the future of tree planting projects and - in some cases - of entire organizations.
- Local Impact Example: An example of an effected project: Alief Super Neighborhood Council which was set to receive $250,000 to plant thousands of trees in Alief, one of Houston’s most heat-stressed neighborhoods.
- Tribal Projects Cut: Other examples of cut funding - sixteen tribal organizations were awarded $8 million to support community forestry on indigenous lands.
How To Help
- First, please support Arbor Day Foundation.
- Second, please support local organizations engaged in urban forestry. You can find a partial list here.
Gallery
Urban tree planing project in Miami.
Urban forestry project in Bridgeport.
