Environment DEC
From the September 2005 issue
DEC Announces Urban Forestry Grants for 17 Communities
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise Sheehan recently announced that DEC is awarding community tree-planting grants to 17 communities throughout New York.
"By planting trees and increasing forest cover, urban communities will gain environmental quality and energy saving benefits," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The grants will allow municipalities to plant new trees so that future generations of New Yorkers can enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature where they work and live."
Community Greening Grants
The grants total about $150,000 and will go to villages, towns and not-for-profit organizations across the state for community tree-planting projects. These grants are made possible through the Urban and Community Forestry Program funded by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) (see "Related Links" below). Community greening grants serve to promote municipal urban forestry programs through tree planting, tree maintenance and educational projects that explain the importance of planting and maintaining trees in communities.
Environmental Justice Factor
This year's community greening projects were selected by DEC staff from a large pool of 2004 grant proposals. Recipients were chosen based on criteria that included local assessment of need, contribution to energy savings and the extent to which the project provides proper tree planting and maintenance practices. In addition to environmental and forestry components, ratings also considered how the project would contribute to environmental justice by factoring in population density, relative economic status and outreach to underserved communities.
Urban trees improve air quality,
provide energy savings and
beautify the area
The forestry grants, ranging from $3,500 to $10,000, will have a lasting impact on neighborhoods, especially where there is a need for increased tree cover. They will provide funding for trees, soil amendments, and labor. The grant recipients will match the funds with in-kind service, donations and project related purchases such as additional trees. The trees will be planted on public property in needed areas such as inner cities, business districts and school grounds. Another benefit of these grants is the educational component of each project. School children and area residents will learn about tree planting, care, maintenance and the benefits of urban trees.
New Grant Round Coming
A new round of grant opportunities will be announced this fall. Proposals will be requested from cities with more than 65,000 residents as well as smaller communities, non-profit organizations, public authorities and school districts. A pool of grant funding, totaling $500,000, from federal and state sources is available for these urban forestry projects that include tree planting, maintenance, management planning and plan implementation.
Today's funding announcement furthers Governor George E. Pataki's urban forestry goals, which were outlined in his 2004 State of the State Address. The Governor directed DEC and the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to form a partnership with local communities to plant trees in neighborhoods throughout the state for environmental, social and economic benefits, and to help reduce energy usage in urban areas.
Governor Pataki was the first Governor in the state's history to fund the EPF to the full extent allowable by law and has increased funding six-fold-from $25 million to $150 million annually-since 1995. The EPF supports critical environmental projects related to open space conservation, stewardship of state lands and facilities, and improving the quality of our water resources.
List of Recipients
See "Related Links" below for the full press release, which lists the community tree-planting grant recipients.
