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Source: NCDA&CS, 7/16/12
The N.C. Forest Service has announced the recipients of more than $79,000 in grants to support creation or expansion of urban and community forests in Buncombe, Cumberland, Gaston, Scotland and Wake counties.
“The projects will help to promote and develop local community forestry programs and educate the public about the benefits of urban forestry,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
The grants are administered by the N.C. Forest Service and awarded to urban and community forestry programs, local or state government agencies, educational institutions, and approved nonprofit organizations and other tax-exempt organizations. Funding is provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
Following is a list of grant recipients:
· Asheville Greenworks in Buncombe County will receive $10,550 to assist with a community tree conference.
· Warren Wilson College in Buncombe County will receive $15,000 for a tree inventory and carbon sequestration analysis.
· Fayetteville Public Works Commission in Cumberland County will receive $7,642 for its tree power project.
· Bessemer City in Gaston County will receive $5,000 to conduct a tree inventory.
· The city of Laurinburg in Scotland County will receive $14,100 to put together a tree inventory and maintenance report.
· The town of Wake Forest in Wake County will receive $6,601 to support development of a tree management plan, volunteer program and nursery.
· Trees Across Raleigh Inc. in Wake County will receive $10,800 to support its planting of trees in public rights-of-way, medians and parks across the city.
· The city of Raleigh in Wake County will receive $10,000 to conduct a street tree inventory.
“These grants will go a long way towards assisting these communities in creating healthy urban forests,” said State Forester Wib Owen. “A good urban canopy is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also offers a lot of benefits to citizens.”
Trees moderate temperature extremes; reduce wind speed and water erosion; filter pollutants from air, water and soil; muffle noise; and increase property values, Owen said.
To learn more about urban and community forests in North Carolina, visit the N.C. Forest Service online at http://ncforestservice.gov.
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