Urban forestry grant workshop set Feb. 13

The Delaware Forest Service will hold an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Workshop from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

Urban Forestry Director Kesha Braunskill and The Delaware Center for Horticulture's Sam Seo will discuss the 2018 urban and community grant program. All municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations can apply. Up to $40,000 in grants for tree planting, tree care and tree management projects on publicly owned lands is available. Grants range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management. All applications require a 50-50 cost-share match in either cash or in-kind services such as volunteer hours.

Applications are limited to one project in one category and will be judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. All projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority is given to first-time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities and cities or towns that have passed an urban tree canopy goal resolution.

The grant workshop will discuss the 2018 urban grant guidelines and requirements, and include a question-and-answer session. Topics will include how to work with arborists and tree care contractors, and how to prepare a successful application.

To sign up, go www.tdch.org or call 302-658-6262, Ext. 112.

For more information about the urban grant program, contact Kesha Braunskill at 302-698-4578 or Kesha.Braunskill@state.de.us.