Arbor Day Foundation

Get support for your planting project through the Community Roots Program, made possible by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds available to community-based nonprofits. As a national passthrough partner of the USDA Forest Service, the Arbor Day Foundation is currently accepting applications for three-year grants. Submit your application on our Request for Application page between July 12 and August 12 This is your opportunity to bring the natural beauty and countless benefits of trees to your community. Trees help people connect, heal, rebuild, and grow. Find resources, guidance, and information here: https://lnkd.in/g2ZmHUUQ

It’s time to bring your project to life. The Arbor Day Foundation is supporting urban forestry projects led by all federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations/villages, Tribal organizations, and organizations working in Tribal communities. The Community Roots Program, made possible through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, makes community-empowering projects possible. As a national passthrough partner of the USDA Forest Service, the Arbor Day Foundation has created a Request for Application page that houses key instructions for applicants. Applications are accepted July 12 – September 30. This is your opportunity to bring the benefits of trees to all residents. Plant an urban orchard that nourishes neighbors. Grow shady spots that provide relief for residents and animals. Bring people together to engage in hands-on experiences that develop beneficial skills and deepen their connection to the land. The Arbor Day Foundation is here to help you every step of the way. Our Request for Application page contains information on who qualifies, frequently asked questions, and guidance on the application process. Start your application today. https://lnkd.in/gPKprmAD

These days, when it rains, it floods. Hurricanes have become supercharged. Warmer oceans fuel hurricanes, making them stronger. The hotter than normal ocean water gives off more water vapor, which the hurricanes pick up and dump on land. Trees act as umbrellas during storms, intercepting rainwater long enough for evaporation to do its job. Simultaneously, the tree’s root system binds the soil to prevent erosion. Roots also absorb water that would have otherwise become damaging runoff. As we grapple with our new normal, it’s obvious that #ATreeCanBe a shield, one that helps protect us from the threats created by climate change.

"My two-year-old is too young to know about climate change. He doesn’t understand what an "urban heat island" is either. He just knows that his papa keeps saying “No” because it's too hot out to go to our local park in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia, which lacks the shady tree cover found in other neighborhoods." An eye-opening quote regarding extreme heat around our communities by Carlos Claussell Velez in TIME, strengthening the conversation on how trees are vital in heat waves. https://lnkd.in/gCwz6GVr

What is the last animal you saw? Can you remember its color, size and shape? Now, how about the last plant you saw? Don't worry, you aren't alone. A phenomenon called "Plant blindness," is the human inability to see or notice plants in one’s everyday life. While there are also biological, evolutionary, and other cultural factors influencing this growing issue, rapid urbanization and increased time spent on devices have accelerated our lack of engagement with nature. The result is an undervaluing of plants leading to diminishing interest in nature, plant research, conservation and agriculture. This not only impacts environmental health, but it also has huge implications for human health, both physical and mental. How do we fix this? It's easier than you think. From simply just getting outside more to making a more intentional effort to create activities that involve plants, we can help strengthen our, and others', relationships with nature. How are you going to overcome plant blindness? 👀🌳

What happens when a neighborhood lacks access to traditional supermarkets or other opportunities to obtain healthy food and produce? People living in these food deserts often end up eating more readily available, but unhealthy, processed food. We work with local partners who understand how to best support their communities. Here's how 👇 In food deserts, we provide local groups with resources they need to plant trees that can meet their specific needs. Take our partners in Brownsville, where one group is using trees to grow nutritious food for neighbors who would otherwise have limited access. 🍋🌱🍊 https://lnkd.in/gDF7S7b7

Urban trees are some of the hardest-working trees out there. As they line city streets, they protect residents and pedestrians from the elements and improve overall well-being and approach to community. The more of them we have, the better off we'll all be. 🌳

When a metro area experiences rapid growth, not all neighborhoods receive the same investment. This can be especially true in low-income and majority-minority neighborhoods. When areas are overlooked in this way, aging trees often aren’t well-maintained and new tree plantings aren’t prioritized. This disinvestment in urban forestry can lead to more negative impacts, like urban heat islands and limited community gathering spaces. Working with the right local organizations in vibrant and vulnerable communities is key to the success of both trees and people. For instance, in Nashville, our partners are working under the guidance of neighborhood tree captains to distribute trees to their neighbors. These residents equip one another with tree care knowledge so the right trees are planted in the right places for the right reasons. https://lnkd.in/g5qbiD-5

The Kansas City area is home to an aging and threatened community forest. City park is located right off the interstate and near a large rail yard. These major roadways contribute to the area having the poorest air quality in the entire state. As a result, the surrounding community is facing significant environmental challenges related to air pollution and urban heat. Thankfully, T-Mobile and Bridging The Gap were ready to step in. These trees will act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and releasing clean oxygen, which will greatly benefit the local residents and the environment as a whole. Together, we will continue to work towards creating greener, more sustainable communities for generations to come.

Bridgeport Connecticut’s East Side neighborhood is one of the least canopied areas in the city, lacking public parks with a dense environment full of paved surfaces. All a recipe for the dangerous urban heat island effect. Unfortunately, extreme heat is a battle many cities are facing. But the City of Bridgeport is up for the challenge. Our friends at Groundwork Bridgeport are distributing and planting trees here to create a cooler, healthier, and even more resilient community 💪 Together, are seemingly small acts are working together collectively to make a HUGE impact on our planet 🌎