Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced grant awards totaling $978,820 for urban forest assessment and planning projects across New York State. These projects provide urban forest managers with an essential baseline understanding of urban forest conditions and support strategies to assess community forest needs and the equitable distribution of forest benefits.

“Healthy urban and community forests provide a host of environmental, economic, and social benefits by reducing air pollution, enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting watersheds, mitigating flooding, increasing property values, and improving public health,” said Commissioner Seggos. “DEC is making sustained investments in the health of New York’s environment and our communities through the State's Environmental Protection Fund, providing crucial assistance to help forests thrive.”

The awards are the first in Round 16 of the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grants from the Tree Inventory and Community Forest Management Plan categories. The 18 projects to receive funding were selected from 28 applications, evaluated on cost effectiveness, project planning, use of partnerships, support of disadvantaged communities, and inclusion of an outreach and education component. The urban forestry grants complement DEC's ongoing initiatives to address climate change, environmental degradation, and environmental justice. A second grant award announcement for Round 16 for the Tree Maintenance and Tree Planting categories will be announced in 2024.

Funding for these grants comes from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), with the specific funding for the UCF grants increasing from $1 to $3 million in the 2022-2023 budget. In the last 12 years, New York State has awarded more than $14 million in urban forestry grants to support projects with a total value of more than $20 million. Among the many environmental victories in the enacted 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders increased the EPF to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program's history.

In addition to New York State’s EPF grants, the application period is still open until Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. for New York State’s federal Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grant opportunities. To apply for the Community Forest Management Plan Implementation in Disadvantaged Communities ($10 million available) or the Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities ($2.9 million available), visit DEC’s website. 

UCF grant recipients listed by region:

CAPITAL REGION

Schenectady County

• Vale Cemetery - $24,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Saratoga County

• Town of Clifton Park - $65,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

CENTRAL NY

Cortland County

• City of Cortland - $52,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Onondaga County

• Town of Manlius - $75,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

FINGER LAKES

Livingston County

• Village of Caledonia - $26,006: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Wyoming County

• Village of Warsaw - $40,675: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

MID-HUDSON VALLEY

Orange County

• City of Newburgh - $71,250: Tree Inventory and Management Plan Update

Westchester

• City of Peekskill- $75,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan
• Village of Hastings-on-Hudson - $21,525: Tree Inventory
• City of New Rochelle- $100,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan
• Village of Rye Brook- $50,000: Tree Inventory

MOHAWK VALLEY

Oneida County

• Mohawk Valley Community College - $75,000: Tree Inventory

NEW YORK CITY

Kings County

• The Green-Wood Cemetery - $93,000: Tree Inventory

Richmond County

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden - $63,773: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

SOUTHERN TIER

Chenango County

• City of Norwich - $29,831: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Schuyler County

• Village of Montour Falls- $ 26,750: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

WESTERN NY

Chautauqua County

• Village of Cassadaga - $15,010: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Erie County

• Town of West Seneca- $75,000: Tree Inventory and Management Plan

The UCF grants are part of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and helps communities to create healthy forests while enhancing the quality of life for residents. For more information about DEC's Urban and Community Forestry Program, visit DEC's website.