USFS IRA

Grant Program

2020-2022 Advocating for the IRA to Advance Urban Forestry

In 2020 Center for Regenerative Solutions and Urban Sustainability Directors Network recognized the dire need to rapidly advance urban forestry across the US, becoming core organizers of a nationwide movement of urban nature-based solutions allies, leading-edge cities and mayors, and national forestry partners in an advocacy campaign called Trees for Community Recovery that contributed to an unprecedented and historic $1.5B urban forestry provision being included the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. 

2023-2025 Serving As A National Pass-Through Partner

In 2023, CRS and USDN were selected by the US Forest Service as one of the official National Pass-Through Partners to deploy federal funds to the highest-need communities. This federal investment enables our two organizations to support equity-centered urban forestry projects in 25 communities, helping to unlock the extensive health, social, and environmental benefits of trees in places where worsening climate effects such as extreme heat are already intolerable.

Read more about this historic investment in urban forestry on the United States Forest Service website.

Partnerships to advance equity-based community forestry.

Through the USFS IRA Grant Program, CRS and USDN can expand and advance our vital work supporting communities in addressing climate change, fostering equitable access to green spaces, and building resilient communities. The 25 grantee communities in the CRS/USDN Portfolio will focus on:

  • Tree planting and maintenance in disadvantaged communities most vulnerable to climate impacts

  • Conducting tree canopy and inventory analyses

  • Establishing urban forestry apprenticeship and entrepreneurship programs

  • Building essential urban forestry capacity in their municipalities

CRS and USDN provide a range of project support technical assistance, best practices instruction, and helpful resources toward the acceleration of urban forestry:

Our USFS IRA Grantee Community

CRS/USDN Grantee communities are distributed throughout the U.S. and represent a wide range of landscapes, community needs, and opportunities.

 

For more information about our IRA Grant Program please contact Kirsten Maynard, CRS Director of National Initiatives.