Money doesn’t grow on trees. But people living in cities could plant more trees if they had a little money.

Actually, make that a lot of money. U.S. lawmakers decided that hundreds of communities around the country will share more than $1 billion. These dollars will help cities plant and maintain trees. Why? Trees give shade. They cool extremely hot places. They even make people healthier. Spending time around trees can reduce stress.

Tom Vilsack is the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary. He announced the pricey plan on Thursday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. That city lost many trees in 2020. A huge windstorm called a derecho blew them down.

Workers will plant new trees in poorer parts of each state. New trees will also take root in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and some Native American tribal nations.

The U.S. Forest Service will also spend $250 million more. That money will be used to grow tree canopies and make it easier for more people to get into nature.

A nation’s government has a responsibility to care for people. Officials have decided that this plan is one way to do that. But not everyone agrees that planting trees is the government’s job.

God made trees for the good of His world and His people. Imagine what it would feel like to live in a place without trees. Trees clean air, filter water, and help prevent floods. A good crop of trees can also cool cities by up to 10 degrees.

And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. — Genesis 2:9