Forest Service awards $58,409 in urban and community forestry grants
The Delaware Forest Service’s urban and community program has awarded $58,409 in grants to 22 municipalities, HOA’s, and nonprofits to fund planting and management projects to improve tree canopy on public lands and open space in the First State. Over the past 10 years, the program has funded more than $1 million in community-based tree projects in Delaware.
Funded by the U.S. Forest Service, Delaware’s Urban and Community Grant Program is open to all municipalities, community associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware. Funds can only be utilized on public property owned by the municipality, HOA, or nonprofit organization. Grants can range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management. All applications require a 50-50 cost-share match in either cash or in-kind services within program guidelines. Applications were limited to one project in one project category and were judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority is given to first time applicants, Tree City USA’s, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities).
EVALUATION CRITERIA
All grants were ranked according to the following criteria:
- Overall project quality/community need
- Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy.
- The project mitigates tree hazard(s) – applicable only for management grants
- Increases tree canopy – applicable only for planting grants
- Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies
- Municipality has an implemented an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (Municipalities) or is a current Tree Friendly Community
The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is committed to providing a range of technical and informational assistance to residents of communities in the First State.
For more information, contact:
Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator
Office: (302) 698-4578, Kesha.Braunskill@state.de.us
Applications for the next round of grants will be available early in 2018.
List of 2017 Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Grants:
TREE PLANTING GRANTS | ||
Community, HOA, or Nonprofit | County | Amount |
Fairthorne | New Castle | $2,658.00 |
Tavistock Civic Association | New Castle | $2,260.00 |
Highlands Community | New Castle | $1,683.00 |
Albert Einstein Academy | New Castle | $1,339.00 |
Port Penn Augustine Beach | New Castle | $780.00 |
Town of Smyrna | Kent | $4,150.00 |
Dover Air Force Base | Kent | $4,000.00 |
City of Rehoboth | Sussex | $5,000.00 |
Sterling Crossing | Sussex | $4,861.00 |
The Meadows at Old Landing | Sussex | $4,000.00 |
City of Lewes | Sussex | $2,878.00 |
Sugar Maple Farms | Sussex | $2,500.00 |
Total | $36,109.00 | |
TREE MANAGEMENT GRANTS | ||
Community, HOA, or Nonprofit | County | Amount |
Edenridge I & II | New Castle | $4,200.00 |
Old Swedes Church | New Castle | $4,000.00 |
Alapocas | New Castle | $3,300.00 |
Pembrey | New Castle | $2,114.00 |
Foxfire Homeowners Association | New Castle | $2,062.00 |
Village of Ardencroft | New Castle | $1,966.00 |
Village of Arden | New Castle | $1,680.00 |
Carrcroft | New Castle | $1,258.00 |
Arden Club | New Castle | $255.00 |
Rehoboth Art League | Sussex | $1,465.00 |
Total | $22,300.00 |