For Release: Thursday, September 8, 2005
DEC Accepting Urban and Community Forestry Grant Applications
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that DEC is requesting proposals for grants that will support local community tree planting projects in urban neighborhoods and parks to promote energy savings, habitat creation, increased property values, and improved quality of life for New York's urban residents. A total of $500,000 is available in funding.
"These grants will give local communities the opportunity to enhance the natural resources of their neighborhoods," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The grants will allow communities to improve the quality of city life by planting new trees and offering New Yorkers the opportunity to experience the many benefits that trees provide in our communities."
$300,000 in tree planting grants are available to municipalities, public benefit corporations, public authorities, school districts and not-for-profit organizations that have a public ownership interest in the property or are acting on behalf of a public property owner.
The funds, from the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), are for use in urban forestry projects. Grant requests can be in the following amounts: between $2,500 and $7,500 per proposal for municipalities under 65,000 in population; and between $5,000 and $20,000 per proposal for larger cities. Grants are intended to have a lasting impact on neighborhoods, especially where there is a need for increased tree cover.
Grant proposals need to demonstrate how the tree planting project will improve the quality of forests in parks or open spaces; have an impact on urban air and water resources; enhance the quality of urban life; or improve associated public health. Grant applicants should indicate if their applications complement other federal, State, and municipal projects for urban areas that are designed to revitalize urban neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for residents.
Local communities are asked to give appropriate consideration to under-served neighborhoods within their urban areas when selecting sites for tree planting projects. Grant applications may propose reforestation of urban parks and open spaces to create habitat and generate an increased urban forest canopy.
In addition, $130,000 in grant funds provided from the EPF and United States Forest Service will be made available to communities to help inventory trees in preparation of community tree management plans. Also, a total of $70,000 will be available to cities with populations of 65,000 or more for urban forestry projects such as tree maintenance and removal identified in previously prepared management plans.
DEC foresters are available to provide applicants with technical assistance. DEC staff will review the completed grant applications and choose recipients based on established rating criteria. Proposals will be evaluated on their contribution to energy savings and heat island mitigation; use of proper tree planting techniques and tree care; consistency with an urban forestry master plan; the degree of community outreach and education of urban residents about the tree planting project; and any other community environmental, social and economic benefits. In addition to environmental and forestry components, the criteria also promotes environmental justice by considering population density, relative economic status, and outreach to under-served communities.
These grants further Governor George E. Pataki's urban forestry goals, which were outlined in his 2004 State of the State Address, in which he 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.
Since Governor Pataki's State of the State Address, DEC and NYSERDA have awarded $750,000 in State matching funds to 44 local communities for tree planting resulting in a projected 6,077 trees to be planted.
The grant application deadline is October 31, 2005. Instructions and applications for the three different grants may be obtained at www.dec.state.ny.us or by contacting Urban Forestry, Division of Lands and Forests, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4253, or by phone at (518) 402-9425.
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