Notes from the Chairs- Summer 2025
| SUFC Members & Friends: When I took on the role of Chair of the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition (SUFC) during the annual meeting in February 2025, I couldn’t have imagined how critical our advocacy and policy work would become. Seven months into the new Administration, our Convener, Heather Doucet, and our Policy Chair, Danielle Watson of American Forests, are sharing updates with me almost daily that give me pause. Like many of you, I’m learning the nuances of policy work and educating myself on activities in Washington, D.C., that could impact the future of Urban & Community Forestry. There’s no doubt we’re at a pivotal point, and our Policy Working Group is at the forefront. SUFC kicked off 2025 by developing a Presidential transition memo highlighting the economic benefits of Urban & Community Forestryfor the Administration, drafting an appropriations letter to the House and Senate appropriators, and defending the USDA Forest Service’s State, Private & Tribal program when the Administration proposed zeroing it out. To keep you informed on ongoing policy activity, we’ve created a weekly Monday SUFC Policy Update newsletter for members, which is distributed when Congress is in session. Please complete this form if you’d like to subscribe. A quick aside: If you’re unclear on what your organization can and cannot do regarding policy work, I highly recommend reviewing the session held in March with the Alliance for Justice (AFJ). The presentation, titled “Public Charities Can Lobby: How Your 501(c)(3) Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good,” is an excellent resource, and the AFJ also made additional state resources available. A Look at Recent Policy Developments The pace and urgency of the Trump Administration’s actions are both impressive and overwhelming. In just the last month, the Administration has shared three significant memos that could impact the work of SUFC member organizations and the Forest Service, which we will continue to monitor and provide interpretation once available: DOJ Guidance on DEI Programs On July 29, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released guidance on its view of the legality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This is a clear warning to all organizations that those with broad or improper DEI policies risk federal scrutiny, regardless of whether they receive federal funding. USDA Reorganization On August 1, the USDA announced a massive reorganization that would close nine regional offices and move to a hub model around five U.S. cities: Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Over 4,600 staff would be moved from the USDA Washington D.C. office as part of this process. Comments and feedback on the reorganization plan are accepted through August 26, 2025. EO on Federal Grantmaking The White House released a new Executive Order, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, with an accompanying Fact Sheet on August 7. New agreements and contracts must now meet the President’s priorities. Additionally, RFPs and similar notices will need approval from a designated political appointee, and the language suggests that the same awardees should not always get a contract or agreement. A report from each department outlining its procedures to comply with the new Executive Order is due to the Office of Management and Budget in 30 days. Legal Update On August 14, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had illegally terminated several grants and ordered the USDA to reinstate five grants and blocked the cancellation of a sixth. The grants were for agricultural and forestry nonprofits and were intended to support projects related to climate, food systems, and new farmer training. Other grants in the lawsuit include a $28 million grant to the Urban Sustainability Directors Network through the Urban Forestry Assistance Program. In her ruling, Judge Howell stated that the USDA’s actions were likely “arbitrary and capricious.” The decision serves as a preliminary injunction, meaning the grants must be restored while the lawsuit is ongoing. This ruling could set a precedent and encourage other organizations that have had their USDA grants terminated to challenge the decision in court. Our Progress Despite this challenging environment, $1.2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act dollars are in the ground in communities throughout the country, and the Coalition’s long-standing work to build relationships and provide consistent messaging about the value of the Urban & Community Forestry program is paying off on Capitol Hill. The appropriations process is well underway, and the House Interior appropriations bill called for $33 million for Urban & Community Forestry in FY 2026, flagging the priority issues of urban heat and agroforestry. On July 24, the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee requested $38 million for Urban & Community Forestry. They also flagged agroforestry and asked for a report outlining strategies for capitalizing on Forest Service authorities to, “develop green infrastructure, resilient local food sheds, and workforce development programs.” There’s also a tremendous amount of work being created and shared in our space. In mid-July the 9th American Forest Congress drew over 500 participants, passed over a dozen resolutions and gave SUFC the opportunity to host a dialogue. The roundtable session on pending legislation led to outstanding conversations and suggestions on what federal legislation often misses, including key recommendations for stormwater and urban wood revitalization. Speaking of stormwater, The Natural Areas Conservancy has released a new stormwater report and will discuss their findings during a webinar on August 20 at 12PM EDT. I’m also optimistic about the work of The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). They’ve announced that their Ten-Year Action Plan’s public input website is now open and accepting comments and suggestions through June 30, 2026. I encourage you to share your thoughts with this influential council. Upcoming Events Please join us for our third SUFC Townhall: Policy Update + Media Trainingon August 27 at 12PM EDT. This event will be hosted by the SUFC Strategic Engagement and Networking Committee and led by Co-Chair Alice Bagley of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). CEUs will be available. Finally, I hope you’re registered for the Partners in Community Forestry Conference hosted by the Arbor Day Foundation in Henderson, Nevada, on November 19-20, where we’ll discuss these and other topics. |
| Friends, we are not in ordinary times, but we must continue to live and work authentically. By telling our stories and staying true to our mission, we can continue to plant and maintain trees in every city, in every neighborhood, and on every block where they are needed the most. I look forward to working together and learning from each other as we continue to navigate the challenges ahead. Matt Spitsen, SUFC Chair |