DENVER — The nonprofit Denver Urban Gardens(DUG) is one of six Colorado groups sharing $4 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance environmental justice programs across the state.
DUG will receive $500,000 over the next three years. The two EPA grant programs are funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.
“There are just glaring disparities in the west area versus other neighborhoods in Denver,” said Linda Appel Lipsius, executive director of DUG.
Lipsius said the group will use the money to expand their Food Forest Initiative. It includes the planting of trees and the development of community gardens in West Denver neighborhoods. The focus will be on communities with some of the city’s lowest tree canopy, areas with food deserts and neighborhoods with poor air quality.
“Being able to grow your own food, especially culturally relevant food, is really critical,” said Lipsius.
Marginalized communities are disproportionately burdened by the consequences of climate …