Inflation reduction act forest justice in greater grand rapids

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 9 - Eastern Region, awarded a $5,000,000 Project Grant to Friends of Grand Rapids Parks under the Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program (CFDA 10.727). The grant, effective April 3, 2024 through December 31, 2028, will support urban forestry initiatives in the Greater Grand Rapids area of Michigan. Key deliverables include the planting of over 1,500 diverse native and resilient trees, adding 430,355 gallons of annual stormwater capacity. Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, a non-profit organization specializing in urban ecosystem restoration, will implement these projects with a focus on benefiting underserved low to middle-income communities. The organization has also served as a subrecipient partner on multiple federal grants awarded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, further expanding urban tree planting and stormwater management efforts in targeted neighborhoods across Grand Rapids.