Ask Congress to Prioritize Reforesting America
America needs more seedlings. Billions of climate-resilient seedlings need to be planted to restore burned landscapes and forests damaged by pests and disease. Not only are seedlings in short supply, but the infrastructure to grow and cultivate seedlings – including the labor needed to produce them – is also facing a shortage.
The Farm Bill is the most powerful piece of legislation that supports forest conservation and restoration efforts, and it's the perfect legislation to supercharge seedling production, expand workforce capacity, and encourage innovation and new partnerships along the way.
One key priority for American Forests is the National Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR – pronounced as "ringer') program, which is part of the Farm Bill and provides assistance to seedling cultivators to help meet the increasing national demand for seedlings.
With Farm Bill negotiations stalled, American nurseries—and the forests and communities that need their seedlings—are left without the support they need. It is critical that the Farm Bill supports seedling research, cultivation and collection, so that our forested lands, whether in large landscapes or in our urban communities, can get the tree supply they need to benefit communities.
This Seed September, join us in asking Members of Congress to support programs like RNGR in the Farm Bill.
Subject: Support Seedling Cultivation Programs in the Farm Bill
Dear [Member],
America needs more seedlings. Billions of climate-resilient seedlings need to be planted to restore burned landscapes and forests damaged by pests and disease. Not only are seedlings in short supply, but the infrastructure to grow and cultivate seedlings – including the labor needed to produce them – is also facing a shortage.
As one of your constituents, I'm writing to ask you to prioritize seedlings in the current Farm Bill. Supporting research, cultivation, and storage of seedlings is essential to ensure that America has enough trees to restore its forests and serve urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country. For example, authorizing and significantly increasing funding for the National Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) program would remove barriers to cultivation and enable local seed and seedling cultivators to enrich America's supply of trees.
The Farm Bill represents a significant opportunity to accelerate reforestation and planting on the ground and unleash the power of partnerships among local, state, Tribal, nonprofit, and industry partners—creating new models of collaboration and co-stewardship.
I urge you to support programs like RNGR and other provisions to advance nursery financing and seedling research in the Farm Bill.
Sincerely,
[Name]
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