Congresswoman Scholten Celebrates $5M in Federal Funding for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – This week, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) announced a $5 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that was awarded to Friends of Grand Rapids Parks (FGRP). FGRP is a local leader in the community, working hard to cultivate urban green spaces and enhance Grand Rapids’ parks. 

This funding will allow for nearly 16,000 new trees to be planted locally, create many acres of new habitat, remove high-priority problem trees, and facilitate the planting of new trees. All of this will have real, documented physical and mental health benefits for residents over the next 100 years. This grant follows a letter of support written by Congresswoman Scholten to the USDA. 

Footage of the press conference can be found here.

“I am thrilled to see this critical funding come home to West Michigan. Enabling Friends of Grand Rapids Parks to continue their work and know that the health of the surrounding community will be positively impacted by correcting the inequitable access to shade, improving carbon sequestration, and enhancing air quality,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “Protecting our planet and making our communities more likeable does not have to come at the expense of the economy, in fact, this funding will not only improve urban forestry in Grand Rapids but will also create dozens of seasonal and full-time jobs. I cannot wait to see the impact of these funds in our community and continue my work to bring federal dollars home to West Michigan.”

This grant provides critical funding for Grand Rapids to solve a multi-generational problem resulting in too few trees in too many neighborhoods resulting in excessive heat islands, poor air quality, and increased mental health challenges. Additionally, we will be able to increase employment and education opportunities in arboriculture and forestry science for folks historically left out of these careers. We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Scholten’s advocacy in creating a shadier future for all Grand Rapids,” said Stacy Bare, Executive Director of Friend of Grand Rapids Parks.

“This grant is a testament to the community of Grand Rapids and the volunteers, past and present,  who have been creating positive change in our parks and community forest since Friends was founded in 2008. This is a significant step forward in our goal to achieve 40% tree canopy city wide! I look forward to planting trees and working alongside all of Grand Rapids as we work together to create a greener, healthier community for everyone,” says Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.

“This grant, a beacon of hope, will not only provide crucial funding but also serve as a catalyst for education, awareness, and transformative employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. It's a testament to our commitment to fostering sustainable change in our community. Deep appreciation to the USDA, Urban and Community Forestry Program and our valued partners at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and the dedicated team at C4, who tirelessly champion equity in BIPOC and underserved communities,” said Kareem Scales, Co-Chair of C4. “Together, we're forging a path where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and historically white environmental organizations unite to dismantle extractive systems and build new, equitable solutions for addressing climate change. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities this funding will bring, as we continue our journey toward a more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally just future.”

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks’ work is rooted in equity and primarily focused on neighborhoods with Tree Equity Scores of 70 or lower, where residents with lower average incomes are disadvantaged by inequitable urban tree canopy coverage. Trees are a vital part of thriving communities, on hot days they provide a beneficial cooling effect, with communities with trees benefiting from up to 20 degrees cooler temperatures than those without.