New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks abd Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced that the city has been awarded $15 million in new federal funding to create new green jobs, improve and expand the city’s urban tree canopy, and increase equitable access to the many benefits that urban forests provide.
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The funding will further the Adams administration’s commitment to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy cover across the city.
“Our urban forest is vital to New Yorkers, and we sincerely thank our congressional delegation, our local elected officials, and our many partners for their advocacy for this grant,†said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue.
NYC Parks will establish the following programs using these grants:
New York City Forested Natural Areas Care and Job Training ($10 million): This program will make New York City’s forested natural areas healthier, more resilient to ecological threats, and more beneficial to the surrounding communities.
To do so, NYC Parks will work to improve the health of forested natural areas in disadvantaged communities, including Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Park, Inwood Hill Park, Kissena Corridor Park, Alley Pond Park, Pelham Bay Park, Rockaway Community Park, Arverne East Nature Preserve, and Vernam Barbadoes Preserve.
Work in these parks will include forest restoration activities, including planting of native species and removal of invasive vegetation and debris.
In addition to directly improving these parks, the city will establish a job training program with three types of paid employment internships, apprenticeships, and early career employment with NYC Parks creating opportunities for members of underserved communities to access training and develop skills in forest restoration, community stewardship, monitoring, and native plant production.
Public educational and volunteer opportunities will be provided in each of these parks, empowering community members to take part in forest restoration efforts, project planning, and overall enjoyment of their urban forests.
Stewarding Canopy and Community in Central Queens ($5 million): NYC Parks in partnership with Trees New York and Partnerships for Parkswill maximize access to urban forest benefits for underserved Queens communities in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona.
The project includes growing the urban forest through planting trees and preserving existing trees. It promotes community engagement through outreach, education, and empowerment. The project will also offer paid training and employment opportunities for youth and adults, focusing on workforce development and green jobs. < ■