November 2020 Note from the Chair
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In This Issue:
- Register for the Partners in Community Forestry Virtual Experience – Sign-up Today
- SUFC Members Pave the Way for Trillion Trees Campaign – Make a Pledge
- House Passes TREE Act – Read More
- Invasive Species Prevention & Forest Restoration Act – Read More
- Call for Nominations to SUFC Steering Committee – Make a Nomination
- 2021 SUFC Annual Meeting – We’re Going Virtual
Register Today for the Partners in Community Forestry Virtual Experience
Registration is LIVE for the Partners in Community Forestry Virtual Experience. Mark your calendars for the SUFC Policy session on November 16 and the virtual reception on November 18. To review the full schedule of events, visit the website.
Trillion Trees – SUFC Members Plant a Stake in the Ground for Better Air Quality
On August 27, 2020, American Forests and theWorld Economic Forum launched the U.S. Chapter of 1t.org. The U.S. Chapter is the first regional chapter of 1t.org, a global initiative to conserve, restore and grow one trillion trees worldwide by 2030. The U.S. Chapter launched with more than 855 million trees pledged from 28 different organizations. Many of the organizations are SUFC members, including the Arbor Day Foundation, and National Association of State Foresters.
Pledges demonstrate an advancement of conservation, restoration, and reforestation goals within the US and internationally, a significant effort and achievement toward the trillion trees goal. A press toolkit has also been developed with video testimonials for participants’ use.
President Trump Signs Executive Order Addressing Trillion Trees Initiative
On October 16, President Trump signed an executive order creating a Trillion Trees council aimed at “developing, coordinating, and promoting Federal Government interactions with the initiative with respect to tree growing, restoration, and conservation.” The council will create methods to track and measure the number of trees planted, conserved or restored and address any laws and regulations that get in the way of these actions. To learn more about this timely conversation, read more news here.
House Passes the TREE Act
On September 24, the House passed the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act (H.R. 4777) with an amendment that includes provisions of the TREE Act. Introduced in July by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the TREE Act would “create a cost-sharing grant program at the Department of Energy to provide funding to plant a minimum of 300,000 trees annually in residential neighborhoods that will reduce energy consumption and help protect public health.” Information on the TREE Act can be found on Booker and Capito’s websites.
Invasive Species Prevention & Forest Restoration Act
H.R. 3244 was introduced June 2019 by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) directing the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award competitive grants to certain institutions for research to promote the restoration of tree species affected by non-native plant pests and noxious weeds. USDA may also award competitive grants to implement the research or other solutions to restore forest tree species native to the United States that have suffered severe levels of mortality caused by non-native plants pests and noxious weeds. The bill also expands the authority of USDA to transfer funds to respond to an emergency involving an outbreak of a plant pest or noxious weed. Learn more about it here.
Call for Nominations
Are you interested in an SUFC leadership position? Do you want to help convene and mobilize our network of diverse national organizations to foster thriving communities through healthy urban and community forests?
Nominations are being accepted for the SUFC Steering Committee. SUFC is led by a Chair, Vice Chair and a Steering Committee who work directly with the Convener to achieve the Coalition’s goals. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 year. Nominees must be affiliated with an SUFC Member organization that pays annual dues. Submit your nominations here.
We’re Going Virtual — Save the Date!
We are excited to move forward with a virtual experience for our 16th Annual Meeting. Please mark your calendar for February 24, 2021.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks.