The urgent need for increased tree planting and urban forestry initiatives is highlighted by Gabriella Golzarian, Renton’s urban forester, who states, “We definitely need to be planting more trees. We need to be shading the pavement. We need to be shading homes.”
Golzarian emphasizes the importance of tree cover, noting that full shade can lower pavement temperatures by 15 degrees, which can be crucial during extreme heat situations.
However, initiatives aimed at enhancing urban tree cover—particularly in lower-income neighborhoods—now face significant challenges due to political and funding uncertainties.
The federal government, once the main supporter of community tree planting efforts, is no longer a stable source of funding. The proposals introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration aim to eliminate federal programs that support urban forestry, which encompasses the planning, planting, and maintenance of trees in urban settings.
The proposed budget for the U.S. Forest Service in 2026 includes cuts to funding for urban, tribal, and private forests, alongside a halt to key research on forests and rangelands.
The White House’s justification for these cuts suggests they are an effort to reduce what it describes as ‘woke and wasteful spending.’
As a result of the Trump administration’s shifts in funding strategy, federal grants—especially those tailored for marginalized communities—have been put on hold, leading to chaos and uncertainty, as noted by Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove.
Upthegrove is keen on enhancing tree cover for disadvantaged communities in Washington, promoting the concept of ‘tree equity.’ He asserts that achieving this goal will necessitate the planting of 12 million new trees by 2040 to ensure equitable access to the benefits that trees provide.
Earlier in 2024, the Washington Department of Natural Resources allocated $5 million from U.S. Forest Service funding and $3 million from state resources for around 40 urban forestry projects. However, the situation remains precarious as the federal grants were frozen at the beginning of the year without prior notice.
Upthegrove expressed his frustration upon assuming his role as lands commissioner due to these funding interruptions, remarking, “No one in the federal government called us.”
Although federal judges have begun to unblock some of the grants previously frozen by the administration, the legal battles continue. A recent ruling in California blocked Trump’s directive aimed at ceasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs tied to federal grants.
Despite these judicial interventions, the Washington State Legislature has also implemented cuts to financing aimed at tree equity initiatives. The state’s funding for urban forestry, generated from carbon dioxide auctions related to large polluters, has seen a drastic reduction—from $5.8 million in the 2023-2025 biennium to $3 million for the 2025-2027 period.
Consequently, the Department of Natural Resources anticipates being unable to issue any urban forestry grants as a result of the budget cuts.
In response to the diminishing funding landscape, Upthegrove mentioned the need to seek innovative solutions, stating, “We’re going to have to get more creative. We’ll rely on partnerships with cities, with tribes, and with nonprofit organizations.”
Renton’s Golzarian pointed out that the city does not heavily depend on U.S. Forest Service funding but partners with organizations like AmeriCorps and the King County Conservation District, indicating that cuts to their funding will also adversely affect Renton’s initiatives.
On June 5, a judicial order obstructed efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle AmeriCorps, a vital national service agency, across numerous states, including Washington.
Golzarian also acknowledged the essential aspect of obtaining sufficient funding to guarantee the survival of newly planted trees, which may require watering efforts for up to seven years to establish.
These challenges paint a complex picture for urban forestry work in Washington State, as summed up by Isiah Montejano, who works in community outreach for Washington State University’s Urban Forest Health Lab. He reflects that despite the difficulties, conservation efforts should remain hopeful and forward-thinking, stating, “You have to be thinking about the future.”
image source from：https://www.kuow.org/stories/tree-equity-on-the-chopping-block-in-washington-state
