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
- Franklin County
- Village of Saranac Lake – $12,800; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
- Village of Malone – $13,500; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
Jefferson County
- City of Watertown – $50,000; Tree Maintenance
- Lawrence County
- Village of Canton – $14,000; Management Plan
WESTERN NEW YORK
- Cattaraugus County
- City of Olean – $32,750; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
- Erie County
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Inc. – $75,000; Tree Maintenance
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County – $22,342; Education
- Village of Depew – $25,617; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
- Town of Grand Island – $50,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
- Niagara County
- City of North Tonawanda – $50,000; Tree Inventory and Management Plan
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