Tree Planting Bill Offers Jobs

Rep. Kurt Schrader introduced H.R. 4509, a bill that reauthorizes the SBA National Tree Planting Program to plant trees around retail storefronts, rental housing units and other public areas. This program would create more job opportunities as well as provide environmental benefits. According to the National Association of State Foresters, more than 18,000 landscape firms were employed to plant trees across the country through the SBA program in the 1990s.

The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) commended Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) for introducing H.R. 4509, the Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act of 2010. This legislation recognizes the role of small businesses in creating jobs, promoting energy efficiency, providing environmental benefits and making retail and commercial areas more appealing by reauthorizing the Small Business Administration?EUR??,,????'?????<

H.R. 4509 reauthorizes the SBA National Tree Planting Program at $50 million annually between fiscal years 2011 and 2015 to plant trees around retail storefronts, rental housing units and other public areas. This program also requires a 25 percent match for any grant under the program, including in-kind contributions such as the cost or value of providing care and maintenance for a period of three years after planting. This match ensures that both private and community investments are made for the installation and care of trees funded by this program. According to the National Association of State Foresters, more than 18,000 landscape firms were employed to plant more than 23 million trees across the country through the SBA program in the 1990s.