Bezos Earth Fund Announces $6.6 Million for Urban Green Spaces in Underserved Albuquerque Communities

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — July 17, 2023: The Bezos Earth Fund announces today $6.6 million to fund Albuquerque urban greening projects as part of its new Greening America’s Cities initiative, a $400 million initiative through 2030 to create more equitable access to urban green spaces with more parks, trees, and community gardens.

"Green spaces are critical for people and the planet. The Bezos Earth Fund is proud to partner with local communities and government to expand urban green spaces," said Andrew Steer, President & CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. "In partnership, this new initiative will support historically underserved communities, supporting their health and well-being."

Los Jardines Institute + La Cosecha & Agri-Cultura Farm Cooperative Network receives $4.385 million to implement several new urban greening projects in and around Albuquerque. These initiatives will help establish educational nature trails connecting to Albuquerque communities, pollinator gardens, and native fruit trees and herbs. Funding will also support improving access to sustainably grown, healthy produce from local farmer networks for environmental justice communities.

“We are proud to work with our community and partners to help make our communities a better place for us to live, work, play, pray, and go to school,” said Richard Moore, Co-Coordinator of Los Jardines Institute.

Additional organizations funded to work in Albuquerque include the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Green Latinos, National Wildlife Federation, Policy Link, ReGenesis, and Urban Sustainability Directors Network.

Other inaugural Greening America’s Cities include projects in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Wilmington, Delaware. The grantees are integral in leading these groundbreaking projects to advance nature in their communities. Their work includes community engagement, land acquisition, project design and construction, local training, and long-term maintenance.

There is clear evidence that "greening" U.S. cities with more—and better—parks, trees, and community gardens can improve physical and mental health, increase local resilience to climate impacts like extreme heat and reduce energy consumption. Health benefits come from improved air quality, more physical activity, reduced heat, the stress reduction effect of green spaces, and the opportunities green spaces create for social interaction.

Historic systems of segregation, exclusion, and land dispossession have led to many communities living in nature-deprived areas. Consequently, these communities often do not benefit from nature’s benefits, like air and water purification, climate mitigation, or biodiversity.

The Greening America’s Cities initiative builds on the Earth Fund’s earlier $300 million in funding to climate and environmental justice groups in the U.S. Find more information on each city’s projects and a complete list of the grantees here.