09/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/09/2024 14:32
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2024 |
Contact: [email protected] |
Gov. Evers, DNR Announce Inflation Reduction Act Urban Forestry Grant Recipients |
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Urban Forestry Grant (UF) recipients, funded through the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). "Wisconsin's forests are a critical resource for our state, promoting clean air, preserving natural habitats, and bolstering our statewide economy," said Gov. Evers. "Thanks to our local and federal partners, these investments help build a stronger, more resilient forestry industry, and will protect our environment and grow our economy for generations to come." The funds will go toward work such as removing hazardous trees, increasing the forest canopy through planting, supporting urban forestry workforce development, and using trees to reduce urban heat. Additionally, UF IRA will also help support Wisconsin's goal of planting 1 million trees in urban areas. The UF IRA Grant program uses federal funds from the USDA Forest Service to support projects that positively impact trees and people within disadvantaged communities in Wisconsin. According to the DNR, a well-managed urban forest increases property values, reduces stormwater runoff and erosion, improves air quality, and reduces energy used for heating and cooling. Over the last four years, Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration have prioritized strengthening Wisconsin's forestry industry and promoting forestry across Wisconsin. The 2023-25 budget signed by Gov. Evers made several investments in projects across the state that support the conservation and preservation of the state's vast and valuable natural resources, including more than $5.6 million for state forests, parks, and riverway road maintenance and development, increased funding for urban forestry grants by $350,000 over the biennium, and $400,000 for county forest administrator grants and $100,000 for county sustainable forestry grants. Additionally, in April, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #221, increasing the state's tree-planting goal from 75 million to 100 million trees by the end of 2030. In just the third year of the pledge, Wisconsin has already achieved more than 40 percent of its original tree-planting goal of committing to plant 75 million new trees in rural and urban areas. The following projects will receive funding:
The DNR is developing an interactive map to capture the impacts of each project. |
An online version of this release is available here. |
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Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 |
Press Office Email: [email protected] |
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