The Department of Natural Resources Monday announced that grants totaling $90,132 for urban forestry projects statewide will be awarded to 21 recipients in 16 counties. (The full list of recipients is given in the PDF file available for download below.)
The competitive grant program – a cooperative effort between the DNR and the U.S. Forest Service – funds projects that help create and sustain local urban forestry programs. Grants are awarded for tree planting, community tree inventories, management plans, and education and training projects that enhance and promote urban forestry in Michigan. “Healthy trees create lasting and positive social, environmental and health impacts for communities,” said Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program coordinator. “These projects will help enhance community vibrancy and livability within Michigan’s urban areas.”
The grants are federally funded through the Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry program. Cost-share funds are available to local units of government, schools, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations. The grants require one-to-one matching funds toward projects performed on nonfederal, public lands or lands open to the public. Grant awards will be distributed in November for projects to be completed by Sept. 1, 2015.
For more information on the grants, contact Kevin Sayers at 517-284-5898, or visit www.michigan.gov/ucf.
