Washington, DC (February 1, 2010)- The Alliance for Community Trees is joining together with 17 national organizations to support a strengthening of the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) at $100 million annually.
This year, we hope that many state, regional, and local organizations and city mayors will help carry this advocacy message to their federal elected officials. Your support strengthens the case for preserving the Urban and Community Forestry Program and improving the program’s ability to assist communities of all sizes, nationwide.
ACT is urging all of its member organizations to take action to contact Congressional and Senate members this spring. An effective approach is to contact your local district office and request an appointment to brief the staff on your concerns. Elected officials are interested to know how the federal program impacts their district or state and why it is relevant to constituents.
Many state forestry agencies rely on funds from the federal U&CF program to provide assistance and cost-share grants to communities. If you have ever received training, technical assistance, or funding from your state urban and community forestry program, you have benefitted from the federal investment in the Forest Service U&CF program.
How to Take Action:
1. Sign on as a local supporter to the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition’s budget request, which urges $100 million for the Urban and Community Forestry Program.
2. Send a letter to your Representative and Senators. Urge them to take action regarding funding to the U&CF Program.
3. Request a meeting with the district office for your Representative and Senators. Brief them on urban forest issues in their district and tell them how you have used U&CF programs and technical assistance to make your city and state better.
4. Talk to all the mayors with whom you work. Assemble a joint letter of support addressed to your Congressman.
Related Resources:
Recommendations for FY11 Budget
Justifications for FY11 Budget Recommendations
Sign On to the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition budget request
Download a sample letter to elected officials: (House) (Senate) (Mayor)