Federal tree-planting fund targets neighborhoods stripped of canopy by redlining
S. 4403 — Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 · Filed by Cory Booker (D-NJ) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 27, 2026 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill creates a $100M–$700M federal fund to help states, tribes, and local governments plant and maintain trees in underserved urban neighborhoods, with priority given to low-income areas and communities that historically had trees removed due to redlining. The bill recognizes that tree canopy is unequally distributed by race and income, and aims to close that gap by funding tree planting, community engagement, and climate-resilient forestry projects.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is direct federal funding for tree planting and maintenance in underserved communities, explicitly designed to remedy documented racial and income-based disparities in urban tree canopy. This is straightforward environmental justice policy, not a hidden carve-out or rider.
What the text implies
- The bill's reliance on 2014–2018 Census data for poverty thresholds may miss communities that have gentrified or experienced demographic shifts since then, potentially misdirecting funds away from newly vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Prioritization of 'community-led urban agroforestry' and 'tree-based local food production' may create tension with traditional urban forestry practices and could require additional technical capacity in participating communities.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
local tree-planting contractors and nurseries; environmental consulting firms; community development organizations