Mayor and Council Urged to Secure DC's Urban Forestry Fund Amid Budget Concerns

The Committee on Transportation and the Environment held a budget oversight hearing on June 2, 2025, focusing on the District of Columbia's urban forestry initiatives. Chairperson Charles Allen led discussions that highlighted the importance of the Urban Forestry Division (UFD) and its role in maintaining the city's tree canopy.

During the meeting, representatives from KC Trees expressed gratitude to the mayor, Director Kirschbaum, and the council for their ongoing support of UFD. They commended the division's efforts to enhance the city's green spaces and noted that funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 26) appear consistent with the previous year. However, concerns were raised regarding potential budgetary uncertainties that could impact UFD's operations.

A significant point of discussion was the alarming projection that the UFD's capital budget for tree planting funds had been eliminated for FY 26, with all capital funds set to be zeroed out starting in FY 27. This funding has historically supported the majority of UFD's labor costs, including 43 full-time employees. KC Trees urged the council to investigate these budget cuts to ensure that UFD remains adequately staffed and funded to meet its goal of achieving a 40% tree canopy by 2032.

Additionally, the committee addressed the proposed change of the tree fund to a lapsing fund, which could divert funds intended for tree replacement to the city's general fund. This shift raises concerns about the potential loss of tree canopy and the effectiveness of programs designed to support vulnerable communities, such as the income contingent hazardous tree removal program.

KC Trees highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the tree fund as a non-lapsing special purpose revenue fund, emphasizing that the needs of urban trees do not always align with the fiscal year. They also offered to leverage their extensive network of community leaders to assist UFD by training residents in tree care practices, thereby enhancing community engagement and support for urban forestry efforts.

The meeting concluded with a call for the mayor and council to prioritize the funding and support necessary for UFD to continue its critical work in preserving and expanding the District's urban canopy.