The Bezos Earth Fund has unveiled its latest initiative, the $400 million Greening America’s Cities project. The goal of this initiative is to promote equitable access to urban green spaces by creating more parks, trees, and community gardens. As part of this effort, organizations in the Los Angeles area will receive $12 million in funding.
The Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion project by Jeff Bezos, aims to provide financial support to scientists, activists, NGOs, and other stakeholders working on climate and nature solutions.
At a gathering in the San Fernando Valley’s Pacoima Wash, Lauren Sánchez, Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, joined White House Senior Adviser John Podesta, state and city officials, and community groups to celebrate the $12 million allocation for local projects.
“Green spaces are essential for both people and the planet,” said Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. “We are proud to collaborate with local communities and governments to expand urban green spaces and support historically underserved communities in improving their health and well-being.”
One of the local organizations benefiting from the funding is Pacoima Beautiful, which will receive $3.5 million to kickstart a project aimed at revitalizing four miles of the Pacoima Wash. This funding will be used for construction costs, community organization and outreach, securing additional funding, and hiring staff and volunteers.
Representative Tony Cárdenas, who grew up in Pacoima, expressed his appreciation for the initiative, stating, “My community has experienced the impacts of the climate crisis firsthand. The air quality was so poor that we couldn’t play outside. Today, we still face poor air quality, extreme heat, and drought. Addressing the climate crisis requires collective action.”
The nonprofit organization TreePeople will receive $1.9 million to plant and maintain over 4,250 trees in underserved communities in Los Angeles. This funding will also support community organizing efforts, policy shaping, youth engagement, and career development in the environmental sector.
Cindy Montañez, CEO of TreePeople, commended the initiative, stating, “This is a crucial step towards transformative change that will improve the lives of those residing in urban neighborhoods. By increasing urban tree canopy, organizing communities, developing a green workforce, and implementing actionable policies, we can combat the climate crisis.”
The SE Asian Community Alliance will receive $500,000 to collaborate with the Los Angeles Regional Open Space and Affordable Housing Collaborative. Their efforts will focus on preventing the displacement of long-term residents living near Taylor Yard, a contaminated rail maintenance yard that is being transformed into a park spanning 100 acres.
The East LA Community Corporation will receive $300,000 to partner with the community farming organization Campos de Cultivo. Together, they will complete the Lorena Terrace Community Garden and two additional green spaces in Boyle Heights. This project will provide access to fresh food, encourage physical activity, and foster a strong sense of community.
Other organizations in Los Angeles that have received funding from the Bezos Earth Fund include the Hip Hop Caucus, GreenLatinos, Green Cities California, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, Trust for Public Land, ReGenesis, PolicyLink, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and UCLA Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies.
UCLA, for instance, has been granted $545,000 to support ethnic journalists with fellowships and workshops, empowering them to cover urban greening projects effectively. USC Dornsife has received $2.9 million for its Urban Trees Initiative, which aims to increase the number of trees in specific communities that would benefit the most from them.
The Greening America’s Cities initiative extends beyond Los Angeles and includes projects in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, and Wilmington, Delaware. This initiative builds upon the Bezos Earth Fund’s earlier commitment of $300 million to climate and environmental justice groups across the United States.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
