RALEIGH — The N.C. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program will begin accepting applications Jan. 1, 2019 for its annual grant program. To assist applicants, a series of grant-writing workshops will be offered in January.
The goal is to fund projects that will enhance the benefits and sustainable management of urban forests in North Carolina communities.
Grants are open to local or state government, public educational institutions and non-profit 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations. Applicants can request from $2,500 to $15,000. The grant provides 50 percent of the project costs, requires matching funds or in-kind efforts and should encourage citizen involvement in creating and sustaining urban and community forestry programs. For more information and an application package, go to https://www.ncforestservice. gov/Urban/urban_grant_program.htm
Projects that will be considered should:
*Help reduce the impacts of land-use change and urbanization on forested landscapes in and around urban areas.
*Facilitate strategic planting and maintenance of community trees for public benefits.
*Assist communities with establishing and managing their urban forests.
Encourage policies and guidelines that sustain urban and community forests for the public’s benefit.
The N.C. Forest Service will be offering grant-writing workshops in January and attendance is recommended. To register for one of these workshops, go to: www.ncufc.org.
West – Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019
Mills River, 8 -10 a.m., Mountain Horticulture Extension Center
Asheboro, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Randolph County Cooperation Extension Center
Central – Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019
Raleigh, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Wake County Cooperative Extension Center
East — Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019
Wilmington, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Center
Friday, Jan. 25, 2019
Greenville, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Pitt County Cooperative Extension
Grant applications/proposals are due by 5 p.m., March 29, 2019 and notifications of awards will go out early to mid-July. Projects must begin by Sept. 1, 2019 and be completed by July 31, 2020.
Funding for these grants is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (P.L 95-313) as amended.
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