On March 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Reading to highlight grants available through the Community Conservation Partnership Program to plant trees in underserved cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

The grants add to a budget commitment to maintain and improve Pennsylvania’s natural places.

“Planting trees helps the planet -- and helps people. Trees keep neighborhoods cool during heat waves, prevent flooding during storms, and clean the air that kids breathe,” Secretary Dunn said during a visit to Schlegel Park. “These grants, funded with federal dollars, will deliver benefits to communities that have been overlooked and underserved, since they don’t require a match.”

The urban and community forestry grants will award up to $4 million for projects as a part of this year’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Thanks to the federal Inflation Reduction Act, Pennsylvania is receiving $9.75 million from the U.S. Forest Service to support communities with equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide.

“We are proud to support DCNR and its mission of planting trees here in the city,” Reading Mayor Eddie Morán said. “Trees are a vital part of Reading streets, parks, and landscapes. A heartfelt thank you to DCNR for championing community health and wellness with us!”

DCNR staff are available to assist with answering questions, visiting potential project sites, and developing competitive grant applications.

To get started, contact DCNR’s urban and community forestry experts at 717-787-2703.

“This direct support for the conservation efforts of local governments and nonprofit groups is needed and welcome in Berks County and throughout the Commonwealth,” state Senator Judy Schwank said. “By planting trees and creating green spaces, we not only enhance the beauty of our surroundings but also improve air quality, provide recreational opportunities and support biodiversity. The trees celebrated today help create a brighter, more sustainable future for all residents of Berks County and beyond!"

“We are excited to be here today to celebrate trees and to highlight grant opportunities that can help communities like ours,” state Rep, Manuel Guzman said. “Expanding access to green spaces is more important than ever. Trees are essential to improve the quality of life. What we create and protect now will be crucial for the wellbeing of generations to come. Thank you to DCNR and Governor Josh Shapiro for supporting eco-healthy initiatives in Reading.”

DCNR grants have supported projects in Reading and Berks County including--

-- $25,000 for Schlegel Park for a pool feasibility study

-- $250,000 to the city for the Third and Spruce Recreation Center for accessible play equipment, safe surfacing, and lighting

Grant applications must be submitted by 4:00 P.M. April 3 through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal.

In 2021, DCNR added its first Tree Equity Specialist to apply the principles of equity and environmental justice in urban and community forestry work across the Commonwealth.

If underserved communities aren’t able to apply for grants, either due to lack of capacity or for not meeting the minimum $50,000 project size, the department is prepared to work with them to implement community forestry projects.

Trees and forests are critical in our efforts to address climate change, as they pull in and store carbon (a process that also helps with clean air).

Other benefits are--

-- Reducing energy costs;

-- Slowing runoff after storms;

-- Increasing property values;

-- Mental and physical health benefits;

-- Reducing noise; and

-- Attracting birds and wildlife.

The Shapiro Administration has ambitious goals around trees and forests, including--

-- Reducing current rates of forest loss by 5,000 acres per year

-- Restoring 5,000 acres of non-forest to forest by planting trees

-- Permanently conserving 15,000 acres of forest land vulnerable to development.

Dunn noted that interested Pennsylvanians can help support efforts to plant urban trees by donating to the Keystone Tree Fund voluntary $3 check-off box on driver’s license and vehicle registration online applications.

Find more information about trees in communities on the DCNR website.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Top Row- DCNR Secretary, Cindy Adams Dunn, Rep. Manuel Guzman;  Bottom Row- Margarita Caicedo, Pocono Parks and Forest Foundation, Ambassador, Senator Judy Schwank, Orsolya Lazar, DCNR Chesapeake Bay Community Tree Specialist, Reading Mayor, Eddie Moran.)

Related Articles:

-- Penn State Extension: March 22 Webinar - Forest Management & Climate Change - A Women's Perspective  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Forest Fridays: Inspirational Women In Botany

-- Choose Clean Water Coalition, Partners Release Newest PA Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book - Water Quality Issues, Legislative & Funding Solutions  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Notice Of Changes To Certain Fees For State Parks And State Forest 

-- Frick Environmental Center In Pittsburgh Hosts March 14 Symposium On What Does Ecologically Responsible Land Stewardship Look Like?  [PaEN]

-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition: Volunteers Make Jennings Environmental Ed Center Improving The Prairie Day A Success!  [PaEN]

-- Saint Marys, Elk County And Williamsport To Host Remote Workers For 2024 Wilds Are Working initiative; April 19 Deadline For Interested Workers To Apply  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Neighborhood Gardens Trust Preserves Peace Garden in North Philadelphia  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In February  [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Allegheny National Forest Seeks Applications For Next Artist-In-Residence

-- Warren Times: Tapping Into Best Of Natural World [Maple Tapping Season]

-- WeConservePA: Manada Conservancy, Berks Nature Achieve First-Time National Accreditation

-- Berks Nature Earns National Land Trust Accreditation 

[Posted: March 2, 2024]

3/4/2024