Urban Forestry Challenge Grant 2011 - Press Release

For immediate release | January 25, 2011
Contact: Wendy Fox | 617-626-1453

PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION AND US FOREST SERVICE AWARD $51,614 IN URBAN FORESTRY CHALLENGE GRANTS

BOSTON - In keeping with Governor Patrick’s efforts to improve open spaces, the
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, is awarding grants to one municipality and two nonprofit groups across the Commonwealth to support tree and forestry projects at the local and regional level.

Through DCR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, a total of $51,614 in funding from the U.S. Forest Service has been awarded for the projects.

The trust is designed to foster partnerships between business, government, and nonprofit groups for the planting and care of public trees to improve community environments and the overall quality of life. The trust is managed by DCR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, with funding from various private sources.

“We are very happy to be able to fund these important urban forestry programs across Massachusetts,” said DCR’s Acting Commissioner Jack Murray. “I applaud the efforts of everyone involved to support, plant, manage, and maintain trees for the betterment of our urban environments.”

The following projects have been awarded Urban Forestry Challenge Grants:

City of Fall River
Fall River Urban Forestry Project
Urban Forestry Funds: $30,000
City of Fall River match: $30,020
Funds will enable the city to hire a consulting arborist.

Emerald Necklace Conservancy
Olmsted Park Tree Planting and Knotweed Eradication
Urban Forestry funds: $11,614
Conservancy match: $12,541
Funds will be used for tree planting and control of invasive plants.

[Click here to find out more about the Conservancy's work in the Olmsted Woodlands]

Franklin Park Coalition
Franklin Park Woodlands Restoration & Management
Urban Forestry funds: $10,000
Coalition match: $45,125
Funds will be used for tree planting and control of invasive plants.

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The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. The agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at mass.parks@state.ma.us.