Gillibrand, Colleagues Announce Plan To Accelerate Tree Planting In Underserved Communities

Gillibrand, Colleagues Announce Plan To Accelerate Tree Planting In Underserved Communities

May 4, 2026

The Neighborhood Tree Act would authorize $2 billion for urban tree-planting programs

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the Neighborhood Tree Act, legislation to provide federal funds for tree-planting programs in urban and underserved communities.

The Neighborhood Tree Act would establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and authorize $2 billion in federal grants for tree-planting programs nationwide. According to the EPA, trees and vegetation in urban areas can offset heat island effects, reduce energy use, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and enhance quality of life. Recent polling indicates that 73% of Americans wish their neighborhood had more trees.

"New York families deserve clean air, access to green space, and lower energy bills," said Senator Gillibrand. "As the price of fuel rises for working Americans, the Neighborhood Tree Act would bring shade and reduced energy needs through expanded tree-planting programs in New York and across the county. I am proud to be introducing this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it passed."

The bill is endorsed by American Forests, Holden Forests & Gardens, the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

The Neighborhood Tree Act would:

• Establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund and authorize $2 billion in federal grants
• The Neighborhood Tree Fund would be administered by the USDA.
  • Eligible grantees would be: states, tribal governments, local governments, and local community tree and volunteer organizations
• The Secretary of Agriculture would give priority to entities that propose projects that:
  • Serve low-income areas or communities with a lower tree canopy percentage and higher temperatures than surrounding areas;
  • Support climate mitigation and resilience;
  • Advance community-led urban forestry, tree-based local food production, reduce urban heat, and improve public health and environmental outcomes.
• The bill would also expand the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council from 15 to 16 members and require that one member of the council be a resident of a low-income community.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

Full text of the Neighborhood Tree Act can be found here.

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