Brown Announces Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Euclid and Lyndhurst to Support Urban Tree Cover

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service announce today 2023 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards for the City of Euclid ($525,400) and the City of Lyndhurst ($100,000) in Ohio’s 11^th Congressional District. These competitive grants are designed to help communities plant and maintain trees, which can help mitigate and combat extreme heat for residents. Studies alsoshow that increased tree cover leads to higher property values.

Nationwide, the Forest Service selected 385 grant proposals from entities working to increase equitable access to trees and nature, and the benefits they provide for cooling city streets, improving air quality, and promoting food security, public health and safety. Funding was also awarded to the 1890 Universities Foundation to support urban forestry in the communities near Historically Black Colleges and Universities and funding Green Latinos to support tree planting in disadvantaged communities.

These grants are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Biden in August 2022. Congresswoman Shontel Brown voted for the IRA in the House of Representatives. The IRA has also established a $35 per month cap on insulin costs for people on Medicare, provides for free vaccines for seniors, and has supported more than 170,000 new clean energy jobs.

“I am proud to announce that thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act federal funding is headed to Euclid and Lyndhurst. These grants to support urban forestry efforts are important because trees cool our streets, clean our air, beautify our neighborhoods, and boost our property values. Ohioans in every zip code deserve to enjoy these benefits, not just those in rural and suburban communities. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will continue to work with the Biden Administration to support urban agriculture and forestry,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards for OH-11:

• City of Euclid - $525,400: Urban Forestry Master Planning Initiative:
  The City of Euclid will complete a citywide tree inventory, develop a comprehensive urban forestry master plan, and reinstate an office of urban forestry.

• City of Lyndhurst - $100,000: The City of Lyndhurst Oak Wilt Pruning Project and Planting Vacancies: This project will address the onslaught of the serious Oak Wilt disease among the city’s over 600 Pin Oak trees. The work includes winter corrective pruning, cabling and/ or removals to mitigate disease. The city also plans to remove and replace Green and White Ash trees due to the emerald ash borer. All trees removed will be replaced with native trees.

The announced historic funding will help the Forest Service support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, provide equitable access to the benefits of nature, and deliver tangible economic and ecological benefits to urban and Tribal communities across the country. For the USDA’s announcement, click here.

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