November 7, 2023
Texas A&M Forest
Service offering $16.65 million to promote sustainable community forests
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas
A&M Forest Service is offering $16.65 million in grant funding through the
Community Forestry Grants program to bolster urban and community forestry
initiatives in communities across the state.
These competitive grants are
designed to establish sound urban and community forestry principles that
promote the protection and enhancement of urban and community forest ecosystems
throughout the state of Texas. The goals of this funding are to increase tree
cover to 30% of Texas school campuses through schoolyard forest grants and provide
competitive pass-through community greening grants to local tree advocacy
groups and community-based organizations.
“The
initiatives supported by this grant funding will prioritize communities
and neighborhoods in areas of greatest need based on environmental and social
data,” said Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Systems Department
Head. “By focusing on these areas, we can ensure that the benefits of urban
forestry are distributed where they can make the most impact.”
To support these goals,
grant funding is available in seven categories. Among this year’s seven grant
categories are Human Health Equity and Accessibility, Municipal Foresters,
Geospatial Analysis 65, Climate Resiliency, Tree City USA, Tree Planting and Schoolyard Forests.
“We
are excited to be offering a historic amount of funding this year,” said Riley.
“The Community Forestry Grant program was established last year, with just two
categories and $100,000 total.”
Funding was increased
through The U.S. Department of Agriculture, providing Texas
A&M Forest Service $21.75 million.
The funding, part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, will
help Texas expand its urban forest canopy, improve air and water quality,
reduce energy consumption and enhance the health and well-being of residents.
Community, civic and
neighborhood groups may apply with an eligible entity as a sponsor. Eligible entities for these grants must be
public or non-profit, including State and local government agencies, public
education institutions, NGOs or non-profits and public utility districts.
Individuals, businesses and federal agencies are not eligible.
The application
worksheets for the 2024
Community Forestry Grants program are now available in preparation for the proposal
submission window of Dec. 11, 2023, through Feb. 16, 2024.
The
application worksheets contain instructions, requirements and a question form for
each category required at the time of proposal submission. A guidance
document is available to serve as a manual for how the grants can be prepared,
frequently asked questions and helpful tips.
Bexar Branches Alliance and the
city of College Station were awarded the Community Forestry Grants last year.
Bexar Branches Alliance was the recipient of the climate resiliency grant, and College
Station was the recipient of the human health and equity accessibility grant.
Communities, non-profit organizations
and schools interested in applying for any category can review requirements, use
the application worksheet to prepare for the grant filing process and explore
implementation examples here: Community
Forestry Grants.