MATSUI, BROWN AND BOOKER UNVEIL BILL TO ACCELERATE TREE PLANTING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

April 24, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As communities across the country mark Earth Day and Arbor Day this week, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the Neighborhood Tree Act, legislation that would establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund at the United States 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 lower energy use, clean the air, limit stormwater runoff and enhance quality of life, and 73% of Americans wish their neighborhood had more trees.

“Sacramento is the City of Trees, and our communities know how much trees can enhance quality of life. They improve air quality, lower temperatures, and make our neighborhoods healthier and more welcoming,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This is especially important as climate change drives longer and more intense heatwaves, while too many communities are left without vital shade trees. The Neighborhood Tree Act will address this gap by giving local governments the federal support they need to plant and care for trees. It's a simple idea with real impact: when the federal government partners with local communities, we can build healthier neighborhoods and a stronger future for all Americans.”

“In cities like Cleveland, where you live often determines how much tree cover you have, and too many of our neighborhoods are being left behind. Trees do real work: they keep our air clean, lower energy costs, reduce summer heat, and even improve mental well-being. But for too long, people in low-income and Black and Brown neighborhoods haven’t had the same tree cover as the suburbs,” said Congresswoman Brown. “It’s time to take a big swing at this big challenge, and that’s why I’m so excited to introduce the Neighborhood Tree Act with Senator Booker and Congresswoman Matsui. This legislation would create a new grant program to close the tree equity gap and invest in healthier, cooler, and more livable neighborhoods.”

“During my years as Mayor of Newark, I witnessed how trees can change the trajectory of a neighborhood. Trees clean the air families breathe, reduce flooding on streets, lower energy bills, cool overheated blocks, and support the mental well‑being of entire communities,” said Senator Booker. “The Neighborhood Tree Act highlights these benefits shouldn’t be a privilege. They should reach the neighborhoods that have been overlooked for far too long, helping build healthier, stronger, and more resilient urban communities across the country.”

The Neighborhood Tree Act

Establishes the Neighborhood Tree Fund and authorizes $2 billion in federal grants
The Neighborhood Tree Fund will be administered by the USDA.
- Eligible grantees are: states, tribal governments, local governments, and local community tree and volunteer organizations
The Secretary of Agriculture is to 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;
- projects that support climate mitigation and resilience;
- and projects that advance community led urban forestry, tree-based local food production, reduce urban heat, and improve public health and environmental outcomes
The bill also expands the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council from 15 to 16 members and requires one member of the council be a resident of a low-income community.

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.

Congresswoman Matsui has made tree resilience and urban greening a central part of her work to protect public health, address climate change and improve quality of life. The Neighborhood Tree Act builds on that record by helping local governments plant and maintain more trees, expand shade, reduce extreme heat and ensure every neighborhood can benefit from healthier, greener spaces.

Issues:Environment