skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

At dueling rallies, Harris stresses unity as Trump attacks Biden's 'garbage' remark; Survey: Election poses a threat of business disruptions; WI's voter ID law can be a nightmare for student voters; Right-wing comedians gain ground in conventionally liberal spaces.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Donald Trump responds to Biden's 'garbage' comment. Hispanic Americans are outraged by insults about Puerto Rico, and climate-smart technology could be a key election issue.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Montana court will decide the fate of a climate lawsuit brought by youth, housing for working families could boost jobs in the Northeast, and a Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others.

'Nuestros Bosques' to boost urban green spaces in disadvantaged communities

play audio
Play

Tuesday, October 29, 2024   

A national nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latino communities and improving access to public resources has launched a $10 million initiative to increase urban tree canopies in underserved areas across the United States, including the Sunshine State.

Hispanic Access has launched the Nuestros Bosques: Faith-Based and Strategic Local Investments program, which provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million for projects to enhance environmental resilience, particularly in neighborhoods vulnerable to urban heat and pollution.

Amaris Alanis Ribeiro is director of forestry at Hispanic Access, and said the program is designed to empower communities with more than just greenery.

"I think our angle of calling it nuestros bosque signifies that it's about a reciprocal relationship with our forest," said Ribeiro. "This is our environment, and having that long-term relationship with the environment is key."

The Nuestros Bosques program, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, encourages faith-based organizations, Indigenous groups and local nonprofits to apply.

Its 80% funding focus is on disadvantaged communities. Applications are open until November 15, and interested organizations can apply through the Hispanic Access Foundation's website.

Ribeiro said the initiative highlights the role of faith-based organizations and Indigenous groups, among the key eligible applicants, in fostering a community-based approach to environmental care.

"The way our communities, especially Black and brown communities, connect with the environment," said Ribeiro, "with our ancestral knowledge, our indigenous knowledge, has been through a spiritual and cultural way."

Funding will be allocated to projects focusing on urban tree planting and maintenance, planning, and community engagement around forestry.

In Miami Beach, city officials plan to use the funds to expand native tree coverage along the Beachwalk path, which spans Miami's east coast, to mitigate urban heat and flooding risks.

The City of Hollywood plans to use the funds to plant nearly 500 trees in disadvantaged neighborhoods - including species such as the southern oak, royal poinciana and Sabal palms.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park is home to more than 50 species which are threatened, endangered, sensitive or otherwise of concern. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

This week, more than 100 Californians are in Cali, Columbia, for the 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity. Tribes, policymakers …


Social Issues

play sound

Florida is expecting a high voter turnout for next week's election and election officials are working urgently to make it happen, addressing the …

Social Issues

play sound

Many voters in New Mexico are wondering why former President Donald Trump plans tomorrow's visit to a state where polls showed a firm Democratic lead…


Adults and youth get ready to play double ball during the first annual Indigenous Dakota Games event in Lake Traverse Reservation. (Dustina Gill)

Social Issues

play sound

By LaVerne Whitebear for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News…

Environment

play sound

CORRECTION: In the second paragraph, the term "mature forests" was replaced with language to more accurately describe the lands connected to the …

Social Issues

play sound

New York families are still dealing with child care barriers despite improvements. A new report found more than half the state is a child care …

Health and Wellness

play sound

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show three of every four high school students nationwide said they have experienced at le…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021