Spokane to receive $12M in federal funds to plant trees, combat climate change

(The Center Square) – Spokane is about to get a green makeover, thanks to the federal government, in the form of $12 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Urban and Community Forestry Program.

The money is part of more than $1 billion in federal funds granted to various municipalities to “plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs where more than 84% of Americans live, work, and play.”

Funds disbursed to the Spokane will come as two separate grants of $6 million.

The first is an urban forestry tree equity program meant to “increase tree canopy cover and provide urgent care for trees in disadvantaged communities in Spokane.” These funds will be used by the SpoCanopy project, “a joint venture with City of Spokane Urban Forestry and The Lands Council, and aims to assist Spokane in achieving 30% canopy cover by 2030.”

The second will be used as part of the Spokane County Conservation District’s Natural Resource Apprenticeship Program, and “will improve urban tree canopy and expand forestry career opportunities through hands-on urban and community forestry education programs” with aims to “improve climate resiliency and public health in Spokane County and create new career pathways in under-resourced communities.”

- Advertisement -

“This incredible funding will allow trees to be planted and cared for in areas of greatest need – a first tier priority in our Parks Master Plan,” said Garrett Jones, interim city administrator and former parks director, in a news release. “It also helps fulfill the City’s Sustainability Action Plan, which identified a need to increase the urban tree canopy.”

The Parks Master Plan was adopted in spring 2022 under his leadership. According to its vision statement, the plan is “a commitment to build a community legacy through green space and parks. We focus on creating prosperity with equitable park development and recreation opportunities that uplift all people.”

A full breakdown of the funding by state can be found on the Forest Service portion of the USDA website.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

School Choice Week: Wisconsin courts paved the way for success

(The Center Square) – Education reformers in Wisconsin are...

New EO to streamline inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths in King County

(The Center Square) – King County Executive Dow Constantine...

Sexton creates firestorm with Memphis school board comments

(The Center Square) – One Tennessee Democrat said a...

Matzie reintroduces speculative ticketing bill

(The Center Square) - Legislators are taking another turn...

Ohio lawmakers blasts attorney general for Costco letter

(The Center Square) – An Ohio state senator blasted...

New York lawmakers want to make ‘masked harassment’ a crime

(The Center Square) — New York lawmakers are weighing...

Bossier City Council faces two separate spring votes on term limits

(The Center Square) – After two years of legal...

More like this
Related

School Choice Week: Wisconsin courts paved the way for success

(The Center Square) – Education reformers in Wisconsin are...

New EO to streamline inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths in King County

(The Center Square) – King County Executive Dow Constantine...

Sexton creates firestorm with Memphis school board comments

(The Center Square) – One Tennessee Democrat said a...

Matzie reintroduces speculative ticketing bill

(The Center Square) - Legislators are taking another turn...