Delaware Forest Service offering urban and community grants

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 grants, which are open to all municipalities, homeowner associations (HOA’s), and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware. Details at delawaretrees.com.

Grants 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 Requirements and 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.

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

2014 Tree Grant Requirements (MS Word)
2014 Urban and Community Grant Application (MS Word)

Resources:

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Contact Information
Project Description
Match Summary
Work Summary
Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
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:

Overall project quality/community need (5 points)
Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy. (5 points)
The project mitigates tree hazard(s) (5 points) – applicable only for management grants
Increases tree canopy (5 points) – applicable only for planting grants
Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies (5 points)
Municipality has an 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:
Kyle Hoyd, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator,
Mobile (302) 943-7869, Office (302) 698-4578, Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov

Kesha Braunskill, DFS Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator
Mobile (302) 535-7543, Office (302) 659-6704, Kehsa.Braunskill@delaware.gov

Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Examples of activities eligible for grant funding including:

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

2014 Tree Grant Requirements (MS Word)
2014 Urban and Community Grant Application (MS Word)

Resources:

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Contact Information
Project Description
Match Summary
Work Summary
Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
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:

Overall project quality/community need (5 points)
Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy. (5 points)
The project mitigates tree hazard(s) (5 points) – applicable only for management grants
Increases tree canopy (5 points) – applicable only for planting grants
Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies (5 points)
Municipality has an 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:
Kyle Hoyd, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator,
Mobile (302) 943-7869, Office (302) 698-4578, Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov

Kesha Braunskill, DFS Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator
Mobile (302) 535-7543, Office (302) 659-6704, Kehsa.Braunskill@delaware.gov

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Delaware Forest Service offering urban and community grants

Delaware Forest Service offering urban and community grants

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