The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is awarding over $47,000 in competitive grants to fund 14 community-based tree projects in all three Delaware counties.  Homeowner groups, civic associations, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities were eligible to apply for up to $5,000 in funds for a tree planting or tree management project. Recipients are required to match at least 50 percent of their grant through cash or in-kind match of volunteer hours or equipment. This year, more than half of the successful projects – a total of $29,429.35 – addressed tree management issues such as the removal of hazardous trees. Overall, 11 projects were funded in New Castle County, one in Kent County, and two in Sussex County. Applications were evaluated by a committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council according to several factors, including whether the community  or municipality has adopted a tree canopy goal, first-time applicant status, and how well the project addresses key objectives in the Delaware Forest Service’s Statewide Forest Strategy.

Since the grant program’s inception in 1991, the Delaware Forest Service has awarded over $1.76 million to more than 200 organizations to improve their urban forest resources. More information about Delaware’s urban and community forestry program is online at delawaretrees.com.  Urban forester Kesha Braunskill can be reached at 302.659.6704 or kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov.

2014 Urban and Community Grant Recipients

The Delaware Division of the Arts announces the awarding of $2.9 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2015, to support 110 arts initiatives throughout the state. Twenty-five communities across Delaware, from Arden to Seaford, will receive grants to support arts programming and services, arts education, and related arts marketing and promotion.

“A vibrant arts environment stimulates the economy and provides a richer quality of life,” said Governor Jack Markell. “In Delaware, where the arts are among our top 10 employers, we see how the arts contribute to the revitalization of downtown areas, enhance our educational system, and attract new businesses and residents to the state.”

Division grants support a variety of projects and programs, from storytelling for preschool reading readiness, to professional performances in dance, theater, and music. Delaware museums and art leagues in large and small communities alike receive support for internationally recognized collections as well as local artists and artisans.

“With a wide array of very strong applications this year, funding decisions were particularly challenging,” reported Division Director Paul Weagraff. “Panelists from across the state deliberated thoroughly and thoughtfully to assist in reviewing and ranking applicants in all grant categories. This input from our constituents helps to ensure that we are supporting arts programming that is of high quality and serves all Delawareans.”

Funding for the Division of the Arts to support arts programming in Delaware comes from the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

A complete listing of Fiscal Year 2015 grants can be found at: www.artsdel.org/grants/grantawards2015.pdf.