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Pflugerville urban forestry reports Inflation Reduction Act grant cancellation; city to seek alternate funding and continue tree plantings
Summary
Urban forestry staff said a planned reforestation program funded through the Inflation Reduction Act and distributed by the Arbor Day Foundation was canceled; staff reported $30,000 of an $80,000 award had been spent, about 71 trees were planted this season so far, and staff plan to pursue alternate funding and complete scheduled plantings.
Dave Madden, the city's urban forestry lead, briefed the Parks & Recreation Commission on March 20 about tree planting efforts and an unexpected loss of federal grant funding tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Madden said Pflugerville had been awarded IRA‑linked funds distributed via the Arbor Day Foundation to support reforestation in neighborhoods affected by recent climate events. About $80,000 had been awarded to the program; Madden said roughly $30,000 of that had been spent and the program had placed trees in target neighborhoods. "We got 71 in the ground already," he said of the current planting season and added the city expected to plant close to 100 trees after the final scheduled planting event on April 5.
Madden told commissioners the Arbor Day Foundation reported the funding was canceled and communicated that the federal agency had changed priorities. He summarized the communication as indicating the agency no longer prioritized certain diversity, equity and inclusion programs and activities tied to the award. Madden said the foundation is appealing the decision and that city staff are exploring alternate local funding sources to continue an equivalent program.
City urban forestry staff also reviewed other planting efforts and programs: 25 trees installed at local schools (with a new requirement that schools supply a watering and maintenance plan), riparian plantings at Pflugerville Park and Lake Pflugerville, a memorial tree program, a century class tree delivery program tied to public events and a planned Kluger Farms riparian project that will distribute about 500 seedlings to be placed in riparian areas.
Madden said seedlings have lower expected survival rates without post‑planting care and that staff expect roughly 25% survival for some seedling plantings unless maintenance is provided. He asked the commission to consider outreach and sponsorship options for sustaining plantings and noted the Parks Foundation and citizen foresters have supported planting events.
Ending: Staff said they will pursue alternative funding to continue the reforestation initiative and proceed with planned plantings this spring; the Arbor Day Foundation appeal is pending.
