The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce available Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) funding for qualifying governmental entities or non-for-profit organizations.
Grant projects must implement successful tree inventory, community forest management planning, tree planting, tree maintenance, or educational programming projects in New York State. Full guidelines and application instructions can be found at the Grants Gateway portal here, then search on “Round 14.”
DEC is committed to implementing a successful Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program and dedicated to providing support and assistance to communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive tree planting, management, maintenance, and education to create healthy urban and community forests while enhancing the quality of life for urban residents.
This is a reimbursement grant program for communities based on partnerships between volunteers, nonprofits, urban forestry professionals, and others.
Awards range from $11,000 to $75,000, depending on municipal population. Municipalities with populations of 65,000 or greater are eligible for grants up to $75,000. Towns with populations less than 65,000 are able to apply for up to $50,000. For inventory and management plan grants, no match is required. For planting, maintenance, and education grants, there is a required 25% match.
Timetable of Key Events
Grants Gateway Training Webinar and Program Informational Session: Thursday, May 10, 2018
Question & Answer Period Ends Thursday, June 21, 2018
Applications Due Thursday, July 12, 2018; 2:00 PM
Award(s) Announced by (anticipated) October 2018
On our NYSUFC blog you can see examples of what the following municipalities and other entities did with their past cost-share grant dollars, excerpts from their application narratives, and advice they have to offer to new applicants:
Green-Wood Cemetery
Fayetteville
ReTree Schenectady
Norwich
Trees NY
Red Hook
Buffalo
Scottsville
Nyack
Good luck to all!