Urban Forestry Projects Get Inflation Reduction Grants

TL/DR –

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has awarded nearly $5.5 million in grants for 36 urban forestry projects across the state through the Inflation Reduction Act Urban Forestry Grant Program. The grants, ranging up to $1 million, are available for both emerging and established urban forestry programs, focusing on expanding tree canopy in underserved communities. The funding for these grants is provided by the USDA Forest Service and is part of a $9 million allocation to Ohio for forestry, marking the largest pass-through grant managed by the Division of Forestry.

Ohio’s Urban Forestry Programs Receive $5.5 Million in Grants

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has allocated nearly $5.5 million in grants for 36 urban forestry projects throughout Ohio via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban Forestry Grant Program. The cities of Chillicothe, Portsmouth, Logan, Jackson, and Washington Court House have been named among the recipients, alongside the villages of Greenfield and Baltimore.

Chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry, Dan Balser, commented, “We are thrilled to aid local urban forestry programs. These grants help bring the vital benefits of trees to urban communities across our state.”

Two grant programs are available to Ohio’s nonprofit organizations. These grants aim to cultivate both emerging and established urban forestry programs, particularly in underserved communities. The grants can be used for program development, urban forestry planning, training, risk mitigation, and tree planting.

Emerging urban forestry programs can obtain grants of up to $50,000, while established programs can receive as much as $1 million. Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager, Carrie Morrow, highlighted the importance of these grants, saying, “Our grant program supplements urban forestry program budgets, fostering the growth of community forests that benefit all Ohioans.”

The IRA grant funds come from the USDA Forest Service, with this cycle’s funding being part of a $9 million allocation to Ohio for forestry from the IRA. This funding represents the largest pass-through grant ever administered by the Division of Forestry.

For a full list of awards, click here.

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