Governor Kathy Hochul announced on May 15 that $10 million in funding is now available to support urban and community forestry management projects across New York. The funds, offered through the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, are open to municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, Indian Nations and Tribes, and other community-based groups.
The grant program aims to enhance environmental quality, increase tree health and diversity, and help mitigate climate change. Eligible projects include street and park tree inventories using both traditional methods and advanced technologies such as terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), assessments of forested natural areas, as well as management plans based on collected data.
“We recognize how essential urban and community forests are to the health and well-being of our neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “With this latest $10 million investment, our State is empowering communities with the tools to better understand, manage, and grow their tree resources to build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods and deliver on our commitment to environmental justice for all New Yorkers.”
New York has committed over $116.5 million since 2021 toward tree- and forest-related projects. This includes $41 million directed at urban forests alone. Additional federal funding totaling $73.5 million was also granted directly to local governments or non-governmental organizations under the Inflation Reduction Act during this period.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said: “Today’s $10 million opportunity underscores Governor Hochul and DEC’s ongoing commitment to protecting and expanding the State’s urban tree canopy… By supporting the use of new technology and assessment methods, this round of funding will help communities make data-driven decisions to support resiliency and maximize the benefits of their green infrastructure.”
There is no match requirement for applicants; awards range from a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $2.5 million per project. All funded activities must occur on public property or land open to the public including federally recognized Tribal reservation land.
A free informational webinar will be held by DEC on June 2 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., with applications accepted until August 12 via the Statewide Financial System (SFS). The grant complements other state initiatives such as the Community Reforestation Program in support of Governor Hochul’s goal for planting 25 million trees by 2033.
