Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, in continued partnership with the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council, recently announced grant funding for 28 TreeVitalize tree planting, community forestry, and urban riparian buffer projects throughout the state in 2018.
“TreeVitalize efforts continue to grow since the program first was launched on Arbor Day 2004 in Philadelphia, with more than 350,000 shade trees planted in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities and communities,” Dunn said. “These grants announced today extend benefits to be enjoyed by residents across the state.
TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership established by DCNR to help build capacity within communities to plan for, plant, and care for trees. Educational training also is offered to help citizens understand the diverse benefits of trees and the importance of properly planting and maintaining them.
Grant amounts range from $1,575 to $17,180, with a total of $196,643 provided for more than 1,100 trees to be planted.
Funds will provide opportunities for municipalities and non-profit organizations to create more sustainable community and urban foresting networks through coordinated tree plantings, volunteer engagements and municipal support.
Tree planting grants were awarded to:
Butler Township, Butler County, $4,200; Chambersburg Borough, Franklin County, $1,950; Citizens for Penn Future, $14,425; Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, $2,480; Connellsville, Fayette County, $2,400; Cranberry Township, Butler County, $3,967; Derry Township, Dauphin County, $6,375; Friends of Midtown Harrisburg, $1,575; Harborcreek, Erie County, $8,850; City of Lancaster, Lancaster County; $15,000; Latrobe, Westmoreland County; $2,326; Muncy Borough, Lycoming County, $2,200; Philipsburg Township, Centre County; $1,800; City of Sharon, Mercer County; $2,300; Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, $2,935; Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, $6,482; Upper Macungie, Lehigh County; $5,000; and Wilson Borough, Northampton County, $14,400.
Community forestry grants were awarded to:
Abington Township, Montgomery County; $8,130; Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, $5,000; Milford, Pike County, $5,000; New Kensington, Westmoreland County, $5,000; and Wellsboro, $10,617, Tioga County.
Urban riparian buffer grants were awarded to:
Awbury Arboretum, Philadelphia, $17,180; Denver Borough, Lancaster County, $8,850; Middletown Township, Bucks County, $12,500; Mifflinburg, Union County, $15,699; and Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, $10,000.
TreeVitalize is a public/private partnership between DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry and the PA Urban and Community Forestry Council to restore tree cover in Pennsylvania communities, while offering a broad range of services to support sustainable urban and community forestry programs across the state.
For more information about TreeVitalize visit the DCNR website. For more information about the PA Urban and Community Forestry Council, visit www.treepennsylvania.org