Urban Forestry and Racial Justice in the Triangle

Decades of systemic oppression have effectively concentrated trees and their benefits within wealthier areas of the Triangle. This inequity has left under-resourced communities disproportionately vulnerable to the harms of a warming climate: flooding, extreme heat, poor air quality, and high energy costs.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is currently making millions available to local governments and community groups for urban forestry projects. While this funding presents a prime opportunity to address climate and environmental justice issues,  grant applications are often dense and inaccessible to under-resourced communities, those most in need of these funds. Further, the relationships that would create effective programs have seldom been built between urban foresters and vulnerable communities.  Folks around the Triangle want to help to address this inequity, but they don't know how!

Join us for this hybrid meeting, moderated by CJJ member-leader Rachel Karasik, to learn more.  Our panelists will speak about the history of redlining, how urban forestry practices address climate impacts, and how community groups and individuals can best work together to secure IRA funding for urban forestry projects here in the Triangle. Our panelists:

• Andrew Pleninger, Urban & Community Forest Program Head for the NC Forest Service

• Ginell Rogers, Ex. Director of TreesDurham

• Bonita Green, President of Merrick-Moore Community Development Corp.

Register here for on-site and zoom access.  For on-site participants: doors open on May 11 at 5:45 for the 6:00-7:15 program at Temple Beth Or, 5315 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh.  Refreshments will be served after the program.  It will be fun to visit with old and new friends.

This webinar is co-sponsored by the NC Central & Cape Fear Region Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Interfaith Creation Care of the Triangle, Carolina Jews for Justice, and Temple Beth Or’s Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee.