Congressman Rob Menendez Highlights $4.5 Million in Federal Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant Awards for the Eighth Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Menendez today highlighted $4.5 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards for Jersey City, Hoboken, East Newark, and Kearny. The awards will fund establishing and expanding urban forest canopies, enhancing air quality, and providing educational programming.

“This award to support urban forestry efforts can lead to immense positive impacts on our communities, including better shade coverage, cooler temperatures, and health benefits,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “I applaud the Biden Administration’s commitment to the well-being of our Eighth Congressional District residents and their support of Jersey City, Hoboken, East Newark, and Kearny’s work to beautify their streets, parks, and urban forests.”

The grant awards include:

Jersey City – Martin Luther King Drive, Green Corridor Outreach Program

$2,000,000 for the Martin Luther King Drive Green Corridor and Outreach Project to boost Jersey City’s Division of Forestry and invest specifically in the neighborhoods along Martin Luther King Drive. Jersey City plans to partner with local organizations such as Sustainable Jersey City and Jackson Hill Main Street in order to do educational campaigns, provide youth leadership opportunities and workforce development workshops within the communities.

Hoboken – Hoboken Urban Forestry Project

$1,000,000 to plant trees, design and deliver educational community engagement activities, update maintenance and adaptative management plans, and implement youth and adult green workforce development activities. 

East Newark – Urban Arborist for Job Training at East Newark Riverfront Park

$1,000,000 for the hiring of a professional urban arborist to maintain the ecological health of the East Newark Riverfront Park, provide educational and inclusive programming for the community, and train the next generation of urban arborists.

Kearny – Kearny Urban Forest Canopy and Stormwater Mitigation

$548,280 to enhance and rehabilitate the urban forest canopy, increase shade and green space in recreational areas, capture stormwater, reduce pollution, prevent combined sewer overflows, and minimize flooding while facilitating groundwater recharge. The plantings will also serve to enhance air quality, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and improve the visual appeal of Kearny's most disadvantaged neighborhoods.