From the New York Department of Environmental Conservation
On September 14, the USDA Forest Service announced over a billion dollars in funding to urban forestry projects around the country through the Inflation Reduction Action. 28 communities in New York were awarded grants, totaling $73.5 million dollars – the second highest state amount, and the highest amount of any state per capita! We are so excited for these communities and look forward to supporting the amazing projects over the next 5 years.
Some highlights:
- $9 million for the Central New York Planning Board’s project to provide resources for disadvantaged communities in Central New York.
- $8 million for the City of Buffalo Equity in Street Trees Program (B.E.S.T.) which aims to create an equitable urban tree canopy.
- $3 million for the City of Rochester’s project to increase tree-stocking levels in underserved and disadvantaged communities, create a more equitable distribution of trees in the City, and educate and engage community members in tree planting and stewardship.
- $1 million for Mount Vernon to implement an Urban Forestry Program that includes hiring program staff, conducting a city-wide tree inventory and mapping, developing of an urban forest management plan, and community outreach and education.
- $1 million for the Town of North Hempstead to conserve and increase equitable tree canopy as well as educate residents about their value and proactive maintenance.
- $597,000 for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Akwesasne Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and Management project, which aims to improve the urban tree canopy in Akwesasne through a street tree inventory, development of an updated forest management plan, and implementation via tree planting and maintenance.
- $400,000 for the City of Glens Falls to implement a tree management plan in two disadvantaged communities and hire a certified arborist.
View the entire list of New York Communities that received funding.
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