2018 Arbor Day Community Grant Notice
Pat Evens
The NYS Urban Forestry Council is pleased to announce available funding for small communities to have a 2018 Arbor Day tree planting event and to establish a community based forestry program. This funding has been provided by the USDA Forest Service and the NYS DEC Urban Forestry Program (and is not associated with the Arbor Day Foundation nor is part of the NYSDEC EPF community grants program).
Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to communities or non-profits (that work in partnership with communities) to celebrate Arbor Day 2018 by both planting a tree (or trees) … and forming a volunteer tree committee or tree board within the municipality. To be considered for a grant, please complete and return the application and requested documentation (PDF format) (Word format here).
Besides planting trees, the intent of this grant is to help promote and establish a meaningful community forestry program. Communities that are currently a Tree City USA or those that have any component of the Tree City USA program, such as a tree ordinance, tree board, tree inventory or management plan are ineligible. Previous NYS Arbor Day Community Grant recipients are also ineligible.
Applications will be scored competitively and awarded from highest to lowest until the funding is exhausted. 50% of the amount awarded will be paid to the awardees upon return of a signed grant acceptance form and required documents. The remainder of the grant will be paid once a final report (brief summary of event, photos, receipts for expenditures and copies of materials related to the establishment and goals of a tree committee or board), is submitted.
Eligible expenses may include (but are not limited to) trees, mulch, soil, stakes (if necessary for the site), printing of a program and advertising to publicize the event. Values for in-kind or in-house labor, equipment, supplies, etc. can be included as part of your budget. Please refer to the enclosed recommended resources to facilitate tree species selections and feel free to contact committee members if you have questions.
Applications are due by 8 PM, February 28, 2018 and award recipients should be notified by the third full week of March.
Thank you for your interest in trees and improving the environment within your community.
Sincerely,
Karen Emmerich, President
Brian Skinner, Treas. & Committee Chair
New York State Urban Forestry Council
PO Box 562, Lima, NY 14485
2018 Arbor Day Grant information packet