DCNR officials remind municipalities and local officials the deadline is nearing to apply for grants to aid in tree planting in public rights-of ways and parks.

Applicants from counties other than Allegheny and those outside the southeastern section of the state (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties) have until July 15, to apply for tree planting grants. Volunteer training and commitment, and approved planting plans are required.

“Qualified applicants could receive up to $30,000 in matching funds to aid in approved planting plans across much of the state,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary of Park and Forests Dan Devlin. “The grants are part of the ongoing TreeVitalize effort by the Bureau of Forestry and its partners to plant one million trees in our metropolitan areas.”

Offered through a DCNR partnership with the PA Urban and Community Forestry Council, the TreeVitalize Tree Planting Application program is geared for the fall 2014 and spring 2015 planting seasons.

TreeVitalize is committed to restoring tree cover in communities across the state. DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry has partnered with the Pa. Urban and Community Forestry Council, PA Horticultural Society and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to offer community tree planting opportunities throughout Pennsylvania.

Launched in 2004 in southeastern Pennsylvania, TreeVitalize has expanded statewide to the state’s 14 metropolitan areas and has resulted in the planting of almost 388,870 trees.

For more  information, visit the TreeVitalize website or contact DCNR’s Christine Ticehurst at 717-346-9583.

(Reprinted from the July 9 DCNR Resource newsletter.  Click Here to register to receive your own copy (bottom of the page))

7/14/2014