CHANDLER, Ariz. – With the help of a federal grant, the City of Chandler will address the challenges of extreme heat with the addition of more trees in the community.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) received $1.5 billion to invest in urban forests across the country. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) received $10 million from the USFS as a pass-through for its project, “Growing Resilience Through Forested Community Schoolyards.”
The city submitted a proposal in June 2023 and received an intent to award letter from the USFS for a $767,000 grant. There is no match required for this grant. The funding was open to community-based organizations, Tribes, municipal and state governments, non-profit partners, universities and other eligible entities. 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.
These grant funds will be used to fulfill the goal of increasing the tree canopy and equity in Chandler while providing education to students and the community. The Chandler Unified School District will be a key partner in this effort, teaching students about urban forestry through tree plantings. When determining the best places for trees to be planted, the city will target public properties that demonstrate a need for enhanced shade and the positive natural effects that trees provide. Data acquired from a recent park tree inventory along with available resources including the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) will guide the tree plantings over the next several years. Using this tool to focus the project scope within specific underserved areas of the city was mandatory to receive the matching grant.
Chandler City Council approved the grant agreement during their meeting on March 21.
For more information, visit Urban Forestry.