The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes a federal funding program to help states, Indian tribes, and local communities plant and maintain trees in their neighborhoods. The bill creates the Neighborhood Tree Fund within the existing Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, providing grants to increase urban tree canopy, particularly in areas that historically lack trees due to past discriminatory policies like redlining. Research cited in the bill shows that communities of color have significantly less tree cover than white neighborhoods, and this disparity contributes to higher temperatures and health risks. The legislation prioritizes funding for projects in low-income areas and formerly redlined neighborhoods, and requires grantees to conduct tree assessments, use climate science in project design, and maintain proper tree care. Funding authorization starts at $100 million in fiscal year 2025 and increases to $700 million by 2029, with a requirement that no more than 10 percent of annual funds can be used for tree assessments rather than actual planting and maintenance.
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