SACRAMENTO, CA\u00a0\u2013 California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jos\u00e9) has secured $2.625 million in state funding for Our City Forest, providing critical resources to strengthen urban forestry and expand access to climate-resilient landscaping in San Jos\u00e9 and Santa Clara County.<\/p>\n
Our City Forest<\/a> is a San Jos\u00e9\u2013based nonprofit advancing tree equity, climate resilience, environmental education, workforce development, and community service throughout Silicon Valley. For over 30 years and under the leadership of Founding President Rhonda Berry, Our City Forest has brought residents and partners together to plant trees and create healthier, greener neighborhoods throughout the region. Alongside dedicated community partners and well-managed leadership, the organization has grown into a vital community institution.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur urban forests are essential to creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods,\u201d said Senator Cortese. \u201cThis $2.625 million investment will help Our City Forest preserve its workforce, restore critical programs, and expand access to trees and climate-resilient landscaping in neighborhoods that need them most. I am proud to support the continued growth of urban forestry throughout San Jos\u00e9 and Santa Clara County, and I am confident Our City Forest will continue to deliver real results.\u201d<\/p>\n The budget provides $2.625 million to Our City Forest to preserve its urban forestry workforce, sustain environmental programs, and maintain free or low-cost access to trees and landscaping resources. The funding will help the organization rebuild capacity and restore environmental programs that have faced financial pressures in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cExtreme heat is becoming part of life in our region, and whether a neighborhood has trees and shade can make a real difference in cooling our neighborhoods, while also improving air quality,\u201d said Our City Forest Executive Director Tara Sreekrishnan.<\/p>\n \u201cThis $2.625 million investment will help address cuts due to unaddressed inflation, a dilemma which required the closure of several programs, reduced management capacity, and stagnation of OCF\u2019S growth and ability to plant more trees,\u201d said Rhonda Berry, Our City Forest Founding President & CEO Emeritus. \u201cWe can now resurrect these valuable services, while also strengthening and increasing our capacity to serve not only in San Jos\u00e9, but in additional high-need neighborhoods and schools throughout Santa Clara County.\u201d<\/p>\n This investment is part of $6.5 million in funding Senator Cortese secured for Senate District 15 through the 2026 Budget Bill Jr. package, supporting projects focused on environmental sustainability, youth development, immigrant families, and affordable housing in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San\u00a0Jos\u00e9 and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese\u2019s website at\u00a0https:\/\/sd15.senate.ca.gov<\/a>.\u00a0View all Press Releases at\u00a0https:\/\/sd15.senate.ca.gov\/news\/press-releases<\/a>.<\/p>\n Select the Google Translation Feature on the website for translations in Spanish, Vietnamese, and 12 other languages. Seleccione la funci\u00f3n de traducci\u00f3n de Google en el sitio web para obtener traducciones al espa\u00f1ol, vietnamita y otros 12 idiomas.\u00a0H\u00e3y ch\u1ecdn t\u00ednh n\u0103ng D\u1ecbch c\u1ee7a Google tr\u00ean trang web \u0111\u1ec3 d\u1ecbch sang ti\u1ebfng T\u00e2y Ban Nha, ti\u1ebfng Vi\u1ec7t v\u00e0 12 ng\u00f4n ng\u1eef kh\u00e1c.<\/p>\n Contact:<\/p>\n Sunshine Borelli<\/p>\n Office of Senator Dave Cortese | District 15<\/p>\n Phone: 408-391-8834 | Email:\u00a0Sunshine.Borelli@sen.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n For Scheduling Interviews<\/p>\n Natasha Waxman, Executive Assistant\u00a0<\/p>\n Office of Senator Dave Cortese | District 15<\/p>\n