City of Concord Granted $1 Million to Cultivate Urban Forest 

Concord, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2023) – The City of Concord recently learned it will receive a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to expand urban tree canopy cover and grow Concord’s urban forest through new plantings.

The endeavor will maximize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees and urban greening.Neighborhoods of socially and economically disadvantaged and underserved communities will get extra attention. In addition, these funds will protect the urban forest from threats and loss by preserving existing trees.

At the direction of the City Council and under the leadership of the City’s Public Works staff, the funds will help Concord manage its urban forest. Coordinating planning, design, and maintenance will ensure long-term health and sustainability of the urban forest.

“We are proud to have been selected for this funding to support our efforts to build and maintain our urban forest,” Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister said. “Concord has a rich history as a ‘Tree City USA,’ having been awarded that distinction over the last 43 years. We recognize that by planting more trees, we can help build a greener community with cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and healthier residents.”

Community Engagement

Concord’s plan to carry out this work calls for community engagement. The City will ask residents, public agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations to participate in building and caring for the urban forest.

The City of Concord currently partners with Diablo Valley College on establishing the school’s horticulture certificate program internship project. This creates hands-on work experience opportunities for students. It also expands workforce development pathways for green careers in urban and community forestry.

Within the next few months, City staff will bring a proposal forward to the City Council for how to invest these federal grant funds. Officials expect work on this program to begin in 2024.

“These investments arrive as cities across the country experience record-breaking heatwaves. This has grave impacts on public health, energy consumption, and overall well-being,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a Sept. 14 statement.

According to the USDA, the Forest Service selected 385 grant proposals. It awarded funds to agencies in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, three U.S. affiliated Pacific islands, and several Tribes.

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