DEC announces $1.4 million to develop urban forestry

Akeem Alao

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced grant awards totaling $1.4 million for urban forestry projects across the state to help communities inventory, plant, and maintain public trees.

The grants are part of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and helps communities develop and implement comprehensive tree management plans to create healthy forests while enhancing quality of life for residents.

“Healthy community forests provide a host of environmental, economic, and social benefits, including wildlife habitat, watershed protection, flood reduction, increased property values, and improved public health,” said Commissioner Seggos.

“Governor Andrew Cuomo is investing in the health of New York’s communities through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund, providing crucial assistance for our state’s vital forests to thrive,” he added.

The 38 projects to receive funding were selected from a total of 154 applications, ranked by cost effectiveness, lasting benefits, use of partnerships, inclusion of outreach and education, and support from local stakeholders.

The urban forestry grants complement DEC’s ongoing initiatives to address invasive species, climate change, environmental degradation, environmental justice, and urban sprawl. Over the last nine years, New York State has funded more than $11.4 million in grants to support projects with a total value of more than $18.3 million.

Grant recipients are listed by region.

CAPITAL REGION

Albany County
City of Albany – $75,000; Tree Inventory
City of Watervliet – $29,000; Tree Maintenance
Columbia County
City of Hudson – $20,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Schenectady County
Town of Glenville – $20,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
City of Schenectady – $61,200; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Saratoga County
Village of Ballston Spa – $26,555; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
City of Saratoga Springs – $50,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan

CENTRAL NY

Cayuga County
City of Auburn – $30,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Onondaga County
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Onondaga County – $48,957; Education

FINGER LAKES

Monroe County
Village of Brockport – $28,609; Tree Maintenance
Wyoming County
Village of Attica – $40,000; Tree Maintenance

LONG ISLAND

Suffolk County
Village of Head of the Harbor – $50,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan

MID-HUDSON VALLEY

Dutchess County
City of Beacon – $35,996; Tree Maintenance
Town of Pawling – $25,900; Town and Village Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Orange County
City of Newburgh – $40,000; Tree Maintenance
City of Port Jervis – $35,000; Tree Maintenance
Westchester
Village of Briarcliff Manor – $25,076; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Village of Hastings-on-Hudson – $14,756; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Village of Hastings-on-Hudson – $40,000; Tree Maintenance
Village of Irvington – $21,760; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Town of Ossining – $33,750; Tree Maintenance
Village of Ossining – $38,000; Tree Planting

NEW YORK CITY

Bronx County
Bronx River Alliance, Inc. – $14,438; Tree Planting
Woodlawn Conservancy Inc. $56,250; Tree Maintenance
Woodlawn Conservancy Inc. $35,000; Management Plan

Kings County

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation, Inc. – $48,660; Tre Inventory and Management Plan
Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation – $75,000; Tree Planting
Prospect Park Alliance – $75,000; Tree Maintenance

NORTH COUNTRY