The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has spent more than $1 billion on, well, trees.
Of that money, Osceola County has received $2.25 million for an urban forestry grant.
The county reports the award is part of a grant to be used to plant and maintain trees, which they say will combat extreme heat and climate change.
“The funding from the U.S. Forest Service will increase urban access to nature, improve air quality, keep city streets cool during sweltering summers, tackle the climate crisis, and create safer, healthier communities in every corner of America,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation. “That makes a huge difference for the grandmother who doesn’t have air conditioning, or the kid who has asthma, or the parent who works outside for ten hours a day. This investment will create not just greener cities—it will create healthier and more equitable cities.”
The Forest Service said it selected 385 grant proposals from entities working to increase equitable access to trees and nature, and the benefits they provide for cooling city streets, improving air quality, and promoting food security, public health and safety.
The federal dollars will be put toward the Osceola Tree Canopy Improvement Project, a comprehensive initiative that will address critical issues widely related to extreme heat, and the unequal distribution of green spaces in local communities. The program’s five-year focus, the county says, will be on conducting a heat island study, correlating data with identified disadvantaged communities, and implementing strategic tree planting initiatives.
The Osceola Tree Canopy Improvement Project has two primary long-term goals:
- Mitigating Extreme Heat: Through strategic tree planting, this project aims to significantly reduce the urban heat island effect, making Osceola a cooler and more comfortable place to live. This directly contributes to the health and well-being of residents.
- Equity in Green Spaces: By focusing on disadvantaged communities, the project seeks to rectify the imbalance in access to green spaces. The data-driven approach ensures that tree planting efforts are directed to areas that need it the most, thereby promoting environmental justice.
“This is a visionary undertaking that addresses pressing environmental and social issues. With a substantial budget, a commitment to community involvement, and a clear focus on long-term sustainability, this project is poised to transform Osceola into a greener, more equitable, and cooler urban landscape over the next five years,” said Osceola Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer. “Winning this award is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and passion that define the Board of County Commissioners and our team. This recognition fuels our commitment to making Osceola County a great place to live.”
