As you may know, the current Federal Administration has proposed a significant reduction in the FY2018 budget for Urban and Community Forestry programs throughout the nation.
The anticipated reduction, by up to 50%, would drastically and immediately impact TreePennsylvania's ability to provide vital services to Pennsylvania communities
. Our current operating budget relies almost entirely on federal funding to administer programs, carry out vital requirements to maintain our 501c(3) status, and even our ability to answer the phone!
In addition, funding provided to our partners at Penn State University's Extension Urban Forestry program, which employs faculty members such as Vinnie Cotrone (highlighted below), is in serious jeopardy.
On behalf of the thousands of trees we helped communities plant, educational seminars we hosted, informational webinars we provided, grant funds we allocate, and partners we support, we ask for your integral support.
Throughout the month of January, we'll provide additional information on how Pennsylvania's urban and community forestry programs have worked to create healthy and sustainable communities for everyone.
Please take the time to call or write your district’s Congress member (
which can be found hear
) to emphasize the value of urban and community forestry
.