In response to the reintroduction of urban forestry legislation today, American Forests Vice President of Urban Forest Policy Joel Pannell released the following statement:

Arbor Day is an important annual reminder of the many life-saving and life-changing benefits of trees. The Neighborhood Trees Act of 2023 and Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act will help deliver shade, cooler temperatures and cleaner air in the communities that need it most, moving us closer toward Tree Equity

These bills build on the unprecedented urban and community forestry investments made through the Inflation Reduction Act, helping to expedite delivery of expanded tree cover to our most historically underserved neighborhoods that feel the adverse consequences of extreme heat and poor air quality at disproportionately higher rates.

American Forests applauds Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Cory Booker’s leadership in introducing the Neighborhood Trees Act to the 118th Congress, as well as Representative Ruben Gallego and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman for introducing the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act in the House to make the legislation bicameral.

For more information on how the Neighborhood Trees Act could greatly improve tree canopy to abate heat levels and improve air quality in communities, see American Forests’ President and CEO Jad Daley’s response to the previous version of the bill introduced in 2022. 

ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS: American Forests is the first national nonprofit conservation organization created in the U.S. Since its founding in 1875, the organization has been the pathfinders for the forest conservation movement. Its mission is to create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. The organization advances its mission through forestry, innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. For more information visit: www.americanforests.org.