USDA and HUD Launch Partnership to Promote Urban Greening and Revitalization

                                           Release No.  0128.00

             Media Contacts: USDA - Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
                           HUD -  David M. Egner (202) 708-0980
                                         David_M._Egner@HUD.GOV


USDA AND HUD LAUNCH PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE URBAN GREENING AND REVITALIZATION

Washington, April 18, 2000 - In recognition of the 30th anniversary of
Earth Day, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Housing Secretary Andrew
Cuomo today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development are creating a new partnership to
help promote the greening and revitalization of America's urban areas.

  The agreement will focus on enhancing and maintaining green and open
spaces at public housing developments and other sites in selected cities and
towns across the country.

 Glickman and HUD Deputy Secretary Saul Ramirez discussed the new
partnership at a tree planting ceremony at Eastern High School in Washington,
DC.  
                                                       
"Improving and increasing green space and open space in our urban areas
is one of USDA's highest priorities.  This agreement will help strengthen our
cities' green infrastructure and make communities more livable through sound
natural resources stewardship," said Glickman.   

     "HUD is transforming public housing developments around the country,
replacing deteriorated high-rises that create urban blight with new garden
apartment complexes that can help revitalize neighborhoods," Cuomo said. 
"Trees are an important part of this transformation, because they help make
communities more attractive."   

The foundation of the USDA/HUD partnership will be a collaboration
between HUD's HOPE VI, Program, which provides financial assistance for the
revitalization of public housing, and the USDA's Forest Service and Natural
Resources Conservation Service.  USDA's activities  will include tree
planting, care and maintenance, natural resources planning, soils inventory,
open space design, storm water management, and conservation education.  

Glickman was also joined by Mayor Anthony Williams to announce the
creation of a new research project with six District of Columbia public
schools and USDA's National Arboretum.  USDA will provide six DC public
schools with six trees, including a new flowering cherry tree, the Prunus
"Dream Catcher", developed by the scientists at the National Arboretum.  In
signing the partnership, students have agreed to care for, and report the
progress and growth of the trees to the Arboretum.     
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