Press Releases
10/31/2024
DEEP Announces New Funding Opportunities for Urban and Community Forestry
DEEP Also Announces Grant Recipients for Urban Forest Equity Program
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce two new funding opportunities for urban and community forestry projects led by Connecticut governmental entities and non-profit organizations.
Urban forests are a critical form of infrastructure in our cities and towns. They help filter the air and water, maintain biodiversity, build social cohesion within our communities, and so much more. The importance of forests and trees in our cities is increasingly being recognized as many cities face exacerbated climate change impacts. For example, high levels of impervious surface in urban areas make cities especially vulnerable to flooding after extreme weather events. Increased impervious surface also causes cities to have elevated temperatures, also known as the urban heat island effect.
The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Program supports a variety of urban forestry planning projects with grants up to $65,000. Funding is provided by the U.S. Forest Service. More information and examples of previous projects can be found at Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program.
The Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Program is a new opportunity made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It supports forest management interventions that promote the health and resilience of urban natural forested areas and “riparian corridors” (areas adjacent to natural waterways) with grants up to $20,000. More information is available at Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program.
“Urban trees provide numerous social, ecological, economic, and health benefits including reducing summertime temperatures in neighborhoods which helps minimize cooling costs while also combating the impacts of climate change,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “These grant programs enable Connecticut municipalities to preserve existing trees and are essential to achieving goals set forth in state statute to increase tree canopy by 5% in environmental justice communities that lack equitable access to the benefits of urban tree cover.”
Applications for both grant programs are due January 31, 2025. Questions about the programs will be accepted through November 22, 2024, and a FAQ will be published on the DEEP Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program website December 6, 2024. Those interested in applying also are encouraged to attend the Urban and Community Forestry Program’s biweekly Grant Office Hours to ask questions and gather further information. Details about these grant opportunities, eligibility criteria, and office hours are provided at DEEP Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program.
Urban Forestry Equity Grant Recipients Announced
DEEP also is pleased to announce the grant recipients for the Urban Forest Equity Grant Program. Over $1 million was awarded to support 10 urban and community forestry projects in Bridgeport, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Vernon, and Waterbury. The projects will support tree planting, maintenance of existing tree canopy, and workforce development programs in environmental justice areas across Connecticut. You can learn more about funded projects at Urban Forestry Grant Accomplishments.
The Urban Forest Equity Grant Program was made possible through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A second round of funding for this program is expected to become available in summer of 2025.
To learn more about urban forestry in Connecticut, visit Urban Forestry in CT.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110