The Valley Air District is soliciting proposals from eligible entities to provide over $4 million in funding to implement tree planting projects in the South Central Fresno, Shafter, and Stockton AB 617 communities.
Strategic planting of certain types of trees in residential neighborhoods, along busy thoroughfares, and around sources of pollution can reduce exposure to harmful emissions and provide several cobenefits, including reduced greenhouse gases and lower surface temperatures. The District is soliciting proposals from local entities in each community to design, develop, and plant trees in coordination and partnership with the community steering committees for the purpose of reducing emissions and exposure in the communities.
“The District is excited to partner with communities on these types of projects that reduce exposure to pollution while creating healthier neighborhoods for Valley residents,” stated Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer of the Valley Air District.
The AB 617 Community Air Protection Program is designed to improve quality of life for the state’s most disadvantaged communities through community-led efforts to identify and address local air pollution concerns. This program, funded through California Climate Investments, brings more resources to the Valley Air District’s longstanding efforts to develop and implement regulatory and incentive-based clean air and exposure reduction strategies throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
The Community Air Protection Program is guided by a community steering committee in each community, comprised of residents, local environmental justice organizations, local business representatives, local and regional agencies, and other community stakeholders. The community steering committee meets regularly with the Valley Air District and the California Air Resources Board to help identify ways to implement actions outlined in the community-developed and stateapproved community emissions reduction programs. Through community programs approved to date, over $140 million of funding is allocated for clean air investments in AB 617 communities.
The deadline to apply varies by community. More information on available grants, including the Request for Proposals, can be found here: https://community.valleyair.org/grants-and-incentives
