Newport Tree Conservancy and Norman Bird Sanctuary are among the recipients of urban forestry grants announced at Rhode Island’s 128th Arbor Day celebration.
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) revealed the grant recipients for the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program and Tree Equity RI program at an event in Providence.
Newport Tree Conservancy secured two grants totaling $60,000 for urban forestry initiatives in Newport. A $10,000 UCF grant will fund the Green Education for Newport program, while a $50,000 Tree Equity RI grant will support efforts to increase tree canopy and stewardship in the city’s North End.
Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown received a $10,000 UCF grant for an arboretum resiliency and forest biodiversity project.
These grants are part of a wider initiative to improve urban and community forests across Rhode Island.
The UCF Grant Program, funded by the USDA Forest Service, provides cost-match grants to municipalities and nonprofits for projects that support effective management of urban and community forests.
The Tree Equity RI Grant Program, a new initiative funded by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, aims to expand tree canopy in communities with the greatest need.
At the Arbor Day event, DEM also introduced a new tree donation program. This program allows individuals to support tree planting in state parks as a tribute or commemoration.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
