The PA Horticultural Society announced Thursday it will begin accepting applications for Southeast TreeVitalize Watershed Grants to encourage tree plantings in stream corridors and watersheds in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Applications are due September 19.

Target areas for projects include: Riparian (streamside) and source water protection areas, on public lands or private-protected lands. Projects may include riparian buffers, plantings on adjacent uplands (where stormwater “sheet flow” across the land would drain directly into the stream below), and naturalization of stormwater basins.

To apply, contact your County Conservation District watershed specialist or, within Philadelphia, the Parks & Recreation Department. This contact will guide you through the steps involved in planning a riparian restoration or related project, including plant material selection, site preparation, landowner agreements, matching funds, and other required documents including 1) Project Bid Sheet; 2) an Operation, Maintenance and Repair Plan; 3) a Site Location map; 4) A letter stating a brief description of the project; and 5) a Land Owner Agreement form or letter submittal of the necessary grant application materials.

TreeVitalize Watersheds depends on collaboration with six organizations that funnel, guide, and help implement watershed restoration projects in their service areas: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Conservation District offices in each of the four surrounding SEPA counties, and the Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County.

These six organizations provide technical assistance to a variety of smaller organizations and local watershed groups in their areas.

The TreeVitalize Programs receives funding from the Department of Environmental Protection  and corporate sponsor Aqua PA, as well as substantial in-kind contributions from various partners.

Click Here to download detailed applications instructions.  Click Here for a bid form template.  Click Here for a model landowner consent form.

For more information, visit the Bucks County Southeast PA TreeVitalize Watersheds Program webpage, contact Emma Melvin, PHS Plant One Million Regional Project Manager, at 215-988-8795 or send email to: emelvin@pennhort.org.

6/23/2014