 Kelli Rodda
krodda@gie.net |
Trees mean jobs. That’s the latest rally cry from ANLA as it drums up support for the Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance (SBESA) Act. The legislation would reauthorize the Small Business Administration tree planting program that was discontinued during the previous administration.
The SBA provided grants to state forestry agencies to contract with local nurseries, arborists and landscape professionals to plant trees.
According to the ANLA, more than 18,000 small landscaping businesses with fewer than 100 employees were employed to install over 23 million trees from 1991-1994. The SBA program successfully leveraged federal dollars with non-federal sources to improve the urban and community tree resources of many of the nation’s towns and cities.
The Indiana Division of Forestry administered 166 SBA tree planting grants in Indiana communities between 1991-1994. Nearly 22,000 shade, landscape and riparian area trees were planted. The total federal investment in this project was $1.7 million. This was matched by $1.9 million in local expenditures, for a total economic impact of $3.6 million.
House and Senate bills
In January, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced H.R. 4509 which would reauthorize the SBA tree planting program. And in April, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a Senate version of the act.
Both versions have co-sponsors from several states. Be sure and read the top story of our news department (page 12), which includes an interview with Rep. Schrader.
Trees for sale
Last year I heard a lot of sad stories and lamenting from some tree growers who were ready to ring the death knell. But this act would inject some electricity into a comatose market.
When I first reported about the House version of the bill, some readers said “No way” to more government-run programs.
Instead, let’s get behind this legislation, which get trees sold and planted, provides jobs and puts trees back in the limelight.
The staff of Millican Nurseries in Chichester, N.H., took this photo on Arbor Day. Owner John Bryant sent it to his representatives and senators asking for support of the SBESA.
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