Rep. Summer Lee Secures $8 Million Federal Grant to Expand Pittsburgh’s Urban Canopy and Combat Extreme Heat Zones in Underserved Neighborhoods

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Rep. Summer Lee Secures $8 Million Federal Grant to Expand Pittsburgh’s Urban Canopy and Combat Extreme Heat Zones in Underserved Neighborhoods

Pittsburgh, PA – On November 11, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) joined community partners to launch a transformative tree planting project along Pittsburgh’s East Busway. This project, funded by an $8 million federal grant from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, aims to expand the city’s tree canopy, reduce extreme heat zones, and increase environmental equity in neighborhoods historically overlooked in green infrastructure planning.

Rep. Lee, alongside Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance partners, local officials, and veterans, highlighted the significance of this grant in addressing Pittsburgh’s urgent environmental justice needs, particularly in low-canopy neighborhoods where residents are disproportionately impacted by hazardous heat conditions.

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“Everyone deserves to live in a community where they can move about comfortably, not suffer in dangerous heat because of a lack of green spaces,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12). “We worked with the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Tree Pittsburgh, Operation Better Block, and Mission Continues to secure this funding because investing in our urban canopy is an investment in public health, community resilience, and environmental justice. Today’s tree planting is just the beginning of a more equitable, sustainable, and greener Pittsburgh.”

The Veterans Day event included a flag ceremony honoring veterans and highlighted the collaborative effort with Mission Continues, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans through community service opportunities. This partnership not only contributes to reforesting and stabilizing local landscapes but also honors veterans’ continued service to their communities.

Background on the Grant and Project Goals:

The $8 million secured for the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Urban and Community Forestry Program represents a critical investment in the city’s future. This funding enables local partners to:

• Address Environmental Inequities: Expand green spaces in Pittsburgh’s heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, helping to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on public health and safety.
• Boost Urban Canopy and Biodiversity: Increase the city’s tree cover, creating habitats for local wildlife and enhancing Pittsburgh’s natural resilience to climate change.
• Enhance Community Health and Quality of Life: Provide residents with accessible, shaded spaces to walk, bike, and gather, fostering safer and more comfortable neighborhoods.

About the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance

The Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance, comprised of Tree Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, is dedicated to expanding Pittsburgh’s urban forest and increasing environmental equity. By working in partnership with local nonprofits, government entities, and community organizations, the Alliance is spearheading initiatives to enhance Pittsburgh’s green infrastructure and create a more inclusive and resilient city.