The New York recipients of the Urban and Community Forestry Grants, funded by the U.S. Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act, have been revealed. Grants totaling more than $7.1 million will support 23 urban forestry projects, particularly in disadvantaged communities most burdened by environmental pollution and the effects of climate change.
The selected projects represent a collaborative effort between local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to create more equitable and resilient urban forests in the face of increased storms and extreme heat driven by climate change. Among the funded projects are initiatives to engage with the public in tree planting and stewardship efforts, increase tree canopy in public open space, and increase or expand planting along roadways in disadvantaged communities.
The grants are administered through DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and helps communities to create healthy forests while enriching the quality of life for residents.
The following is a list of awarded projects by region:
CAPITAL REGION
Albany County
- City of Albany Department of General Services – $420,260; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
Greene County
- Village of Athens – $340,633; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
Rensselaer County
- City of Troy – $317,600; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
CENTRAL NY
Cortland County
- City of Cortland – $65,000; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
Onondaga County
- City of Syracuse – $495,283; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
FINGER LAKES
Genesee County
- City of Batavia – $452,732; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
Monroe County
- City of Rochester – $199,625; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
Orleans County
- Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District – $468,479; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
LONG ISLAND
Nassau County
- City of Glen Cove – $25,706; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
MID-HUDSON VALLEY
Orange County
- Orange County Parks and Recreation – $63,154; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
Ulster County
- City of Kingston – $491,550; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
Westchester
- City of New Rochelle – $35,000; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
NEW YORK CITY
Bronx County
- Woodlawn Conservancy Inc – $473,392; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
- Natural Areas Conservancy Inc – $394,658; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
Kings County
- Big Initiatives Incorporated – $407,457; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
- The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation – $500,000.00; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
New York County
- The Green-Wood Cemetery – $498,035; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
- Randall’s Island Park Alliance Inc – $497,742; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
NORTH COUNTRY
Clinton County
- Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District – $229,622; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
Jefferson County
- City of Watertown – $400,000; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
St. Lawrence County
- Town of Massena – $231,342; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities
SOUTHERN TIER
Broome County
- City of Binghamton – $33,333; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
WESTERN NY
Chautauqua County
- City of Dunkirk – $122,446; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
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