Trust for Public Land Letter to Senators on the Inflation Reduction Act

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Manchin:

On behalf of Trust for Public Land (TPL), I write to express our gratitude for your leadership in working to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US Senate. The IRA investments in natural climate solutions, forest resilience, and public land restoration represent a historic commitment to confronting the climate crisis. In particular, we are pleased that the bill includes a number of equity focused grant programs to help vulnerable communities currently facing the deadly effects of climate change. TPL has long known that parks and open space help to counter the worst effects of climate change. With funding from the IRA, cities and towns across the country will be able to plant millions of trees to cool their neighborhoods and absorb stormwater, while providing equitable access to nature to help close the ‘Nature Gap.’

We are especially grateful to you both for your persistence, commitment, and hard work to pass legislation that is the most consequential piece of legislation with a commitment to conservation, climate change and vulnerable communities we have seen to date.

All of these important provisions in the legislation will make a real difference in the lives of Americans and the future of the world we share. Protected public lands support rural economies and local businesses while also protecting wildlife, watersheds, outdoor recreation areas, and other public resources. We look forward to swift passage of the bill by the US House of Representatives and then President Biden’s signature.

Thank you,

Katie Murtha, TPL Vice President for Government Relations