Wednesday, July 10, 2024 — Cleveland — Yesterday afternoon local leaders joined Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Councilwoman Deborah Gray, the USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, Dr. Homer Wilkes, and national leaders from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Center for Regenerative Solutions to kick off the Community Forestry Corps (CFC) Program in Cleveland, a multifaceted collaboration in urban forestry workforce development for youth.
The event highlighted the program’s goals, including delivering equity-based benefits to underserved communities, addressing urban forestry challenges, and providing meaningful climate action work for youth. Mayor Bibb and other leaders joined demonstrations on localized heat mapping and discussions on how data could be used for prioritizing urban forestry investments.
“It’s wonderful to be able to support this work in Cleveland through the Student Conservation Association youth programming.” - Matt Gray, Senior VP of Programs, SCA
In addition to Cleveland, the CFC will launch programs in Boise, Boulder/Boulder County, and Chicago this summer, all of which are members of the national non-partisan Climate Mayors organization that is currently chaired by Mayor Bibb.
Each city will host youth cohorts for meaningful work experiences and climate action training, enhancing individual and community growth and resiliency.
“This groundbreaking initiative aims to address climate change challenges through a community-based, youth-powered system of ongoing tree care, maintenance, and data collection. We're inspired to have Cleveland as a partner and leader in this pilot.” - Samira Malone, Cleveland resident and Director of Urban Forestry Initiatives, Center for Regenerative Solutions
“I’m excited that this program is engaging youth this summer to learn about urban heat and to work on making trees healthy in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood.” - Councilwoman Deborah Gray, Ward 4
Mayor Bibb also announced a $3.4 million award from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program through the Inflation Reduction Act for the City of Cleveland and partners. This funding will focus on city urban forestry management and tree care strategy, as well as tree planting through partner organizations. The award is in addition to the roughly $600,000 already awarded to non-profit partners in the Greater Cleveland area, including Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Holden Forests and Gardens, through state IRA forestry grants.
“The Community Forestry Corps program for youth adds another layer to Cleveland’s workforce development approach and our $10 million ARPA-funded Built Environment Collaborative,” said Mayor Bibb. “I am thankful for the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s collaboration and for the direct support from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Shontel Brown that helped bring this additional funding to Cleveland.”
“We need cities to be like Cleveland – I see a great mix of community members, leaders and young people coming together to collaborate on this effort. This kind of community collaboration is what will make for successful forestry programs – this is what the Biden-Harris Administration wants to support when taking action to promote climate resilience, reduce heat stress by bringing shade, and create jobs in the process.” – USDA Under Secretary Dr. Homer Wilkes
“As the Cleveland City Council representative for the Urban Forestry Commission, and a community forestry advocate, I was thrilled to hear of this significant funding award through the Inflation Reduction Act. I look forward to working with the Bibb administration on next steps to help transform our urban forestry programs in the city.” – Councilwoman Jenny Spencer, Ward 15, and Urban Forestry Commission member
