DEI policy shift leads to cancellation of Billings' $1 million federal tree grant
Already passed through Congress, the grant to plant and maintain trees across Billings is rescinded as the nation reckons with the rollback of DEI initiatives
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BILLINGS – A $1 million federal grant intended to plant trees in some of Billings’ most underserved neighborhoods has been rescinded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sparking frustration and questions from former city staff.
The money, awarded to the city through the Inflation Reduction Act, was designated for planting and maintaining trees in areas lacking adequate canopy coverage—locations identified through federal mapping as historically disadvantaged. But in late April, the USDA terminated the grant, citing its connection to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, now at odds with priorities of the current Trump administration.....