Title
Request Authorization to Apply for, Accept and Disburse Funding from American Forests for Tree Planting in Phoenix (Ordinance S-48253)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to accept donations from American Forests to support tree planting projects in the City of Phoenix. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item including transfers to 501(c)(3) program partners Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Trees Matter, and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance as needed. Funding received will not exceed $500,000.
Report
Summary
American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1875, they have been the pathfinders for creating healthy forests from coast to coast.
Today, American Forests is focused on building a reforestation movement in America, by partnering with cities to grow the urban forest in neighborhoods that need it most--heat vulnerable communities that have a limited tree canopy. American Forests has established connections with businesses and philanthropy desiring to invest in vulnerable communities, and has selected a handful of communities to partner with, including Phoenix-given our clear goals, a growing investment in the urban forest, and vision for the path forward. The partnership was formalized in April 21, 2021, when the City of Phoenix and American Forests entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to increase tree equity in Phoenix neighborhoods.
As part of that MOU, American Forests has been actively fundraising with businesses and philanthropy to support tree equity in Phoenix. To date, they have received funding for cool corridors and other tree planting projects in Phoenix totaling more than $260,000 from funding partners such as Salesforce, iHeart Radio and Aspiration Bank. As new projects get identified, and in support of the MOU, American Forest will continue to fundraise on behalf of Phoenix.
Staff is seeking approval to receive up to $500,000 in funds from our partner, American Forests, to support tree planting in Phoenix, in City parks, streets, schools, and neighborhoods through City departments and through our active tree non-profit 501(c)(3) community partners: Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Trees Matter, and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance.
The initial tranche of donations from American Forests will support projects in areas with low tree equity scores, including tree planting at City parks, residential planting projects with the Neighborhood Services Department and our non-profit community partners, tree planting and landscape improvements at schools, and streetscape improvements in residential areas in support of the Cool Corridors goal.
Financial Impact
All funds received from American Forests will be deposited in the tree donation cost center and managed and reported on annually by the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. Funding will be distributed to City departments and program partners identified in this report.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding with American Forests on April 21, 2021, by a vote of 9-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Offices of Sustainability and Heat Response and Mitigation.