The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has announced 15 Michigan communities were recently notified they will be sharing in nearly $650,000 in grants recently awarded by the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant Program via the Urban and Community Forestry Program in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. The MDNR awarded the federally funded grants and issued a press release about the recipients.
Shelby Village Administrator Phil Morse was pleased to share that the village, which was made aware of the opportunity by the Oceana Conservation District, applied and was awarded $20,345 in grant funding. The village intends to utilize The Response Growth Collective, Inc. (TRGC) to assist them with developing a long-term approach to managing Shelby’s urban forest. TRGC will provide a number of services, including designing forestry management needs, collecting tree data, preparing a long-term Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP), assisting in creating a Tree Board or Commission and creating a long-term tree planting plan.
“Trees are essential community infrastructure, and this grant program helps extend their many benefits to more Michigan communities,” said Kerry Gray, DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program grant specialist.
“Part of the program includes education for our DPW staff and the community as well,” said Morse. “And once the UFMP is complete, the village will be in position to apply for approximately $50,000 in future grant funding for tree removal and planting work over the next couple of years, based on the priorities identified through the planning process.”
The press release continued, “Trees play an essential role in improving the quality of life for Michigan residents. They boost air quality, cool communities, lower energy costs and help manage stormwater. Trees also support the mental and physical well‑being of people who enjoy their shade and beauty, contributing to healthier, more resilient communities across the state.
“The grants were awarded to 15 communities and organizations benefiting more than 1.5 million Michigan residents. The grantees will collectively plant and care for more than 1,200 trees, create inventories of city trees and develop plans to sustainably manage over 2,000 public trees.”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program is a federally funded program providing technical, educational and grant assistance to communities, nonprofits, educational institutions and tribes to build capacity for managing trees and forests in communities throughout the state. Learn more at Michigan.gov/UCF.
