TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is accepting applications for the 2016 Urban and Community Forestry grant program.
The program provides funding to local governments, educational institutions, Native-American tribal governments and non-profit groups for urban forestry projects within their communities.
"Trees play a vital role in urban communities," said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. "In addition to improving the aesthetics of our communities, healthy tree canopies have a long list of environmental benefits, especially in developed areas."
The Urban and Community Forestry grant program is part of Florida's ongoing initiative to increase tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties. Qualified participants may apply for a minimum of $2,000 and up to $30,000 in matching grant funds. Program projects can include:
●conducting community tree inventories
●preparing urban forestry management plans
●developing or updating local tree ordinances
●hiring temporary staff
●conducting personnel training
●creating urban forestry education programs
Applications for the program will be accepted through March 31.
To submit a proposal or learn more, contact Okaloosa Forester Maria Wilson, Blackwater District, 7050 Highway 189 N., Baker, Maria.Wilson@FreshFromFlorida.com, 689-7838; or visit the Florida Urban and Community Forestry grant program webpage, http://bit.ly/1V7eaMX.
All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. The program is funded by the USDA Forest Service.
To learn more about FFS programs, visit FloridaForestService.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida forestry grant organizers now accepting project applications