The jobs are in the trees

With Congress and the White House considering spending scarce dollars to jump-start employment, they'll need to get the biggest jobs bang for the buck to give Americans confidence that they're spending our money wisely. Probably the biggest jobs generator of all, and one of the least recognized, is investing in forest and land restoration and sustainable management, with conservation, watershed projects, and park investment coming close behind.
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Funding for community-based greening in cities

"Sen. Bob Casey introduced the companion bill to Rep. Allyson Schwartz's Green Communities Act (H.R. 2222). As cities across the United States are looking for new effective, low cost strategies that will grow their economies, the implementation of green infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to improve quality of life, attract new business, and improve the general environment.

The bill authorizes $120 million in funding for community-based greening in cities. ACT member organization Pennsylvania Horticulture Society hosted a field hearing on the legislation and is a leading advocate for the program, which would be authorized by the Secretary of Commerce and delivered through the Economic Development Administration. Urban forestry and volunteer-based action are prominently featured in the legislation."

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