2014 Urban and Community Forestry Grants

New Castle

Penn Farms in New Castle held an Arbor Day tree planting funded in part by a $3,607 grant from the Delaware Forest Service’s urban and community forestry program.

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for its 2014 competitive grant program. This year’s program is open to all municipalities, homeowner and civic associations (HOA’s), and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware. Grant awards can range from a minimum of $1,000 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 are limited to one project in one project category and will be judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities (HOA’s) and applicants that have a passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities). The application deadline is the close of business on September 15, 2014. Winners will be notified by September 30, 2014. Specific details can be found in the 2014 Tree Grant Requirementsand 2014 Urban and Community Grant Application. No emailed or faxed submissions will be accepted and receipt will be confirmed by email. Completed applications should be mailed to:  Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 Examples of activities eligible for grant funding including:

This tree planting project at Penn Farms involved students from nearby schools.

This tree planting project at Penn Farms involved students from nearby schools.

  • Tree Planting
  • Hazard Tree Mitigation
  • Development of a Professional Tree Inventory

Funds must be utilized on public property owned by the municipality, HOA, or nonprofit organization. 2014 Urban and Community Grant Application Materials

Resources:

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

  1. Contact Information
  2. Project Description
  3. Match Summary
  4. Work Summary
  5. Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
  6. Signature Page

 To be considered for ranking, applications must clearly and concisely address the required elements. EVALUATION CRITERIA All grants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

  1. Overall project quality/community need (5 points)
  2. Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy. (5 points)
  3. The project mitigates tree hazard(s) (5 points) – applicable only for management grants
  4. Increases tree canopy  (5 points) – applicable only for planting grants
  5. Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies (5 points)
  6. Municipality has implemented an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (Municipalities) or is a current Tree Friendly Community (HOA’s/MC’s) (Bonus 1 point)

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, DFS Urban Forestry Program Director

Mobile (302) 535-7543, Office (302) 698-4578, Kesha.Braunskill@state.de.us