The Alaska Division of Forestry is offering a final round of grants to “tree-vitalize” school campuses across Alaska.
Donor Name: State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources
State: Alaska
Type of the Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2022
Size of the Grant: up to $10,000
Details:
Forests are vital infrastructure, conveying many benefits to the humans and wildlife that occupy Alaska’s communities. Forests clean the air and water, contribute to the livability of their cities, and promote the health of those that live within. Planting a native tree or grove of native trees can improve the soil; attract pollinators; and provide habitat to their native wildlife.
Community forests also provide valuable spaces for students to learn about nature and explore environmental issues. Trees and green spaces around schools have positive effects on student productivity, mental health, and quality of life. The purpose of these grants is to supplement local resources and facilitate education about the environmental, social, and psychological benefits provided by trees.
Funding Information
- Applicants may apply for up to $10,000.00. Approximately $15,000 is available to fund projects.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant must be an Alaska school, soil and water conservation district, local government, tribe, or other non-profit organization with a current IRS 501(C)3 status.
- Trees must be planted on non-federal public land and have a three-year maintenance plan Grant funds may not be used to pay wages.
- Projects selected in 2022 must be completed, and completion reports submitted by December 2, 2022.
Grant Selection Criteria
- Increases public awareness of the benefits of community trees and forests;
- Demonstrates to students how to select, plant, and care for trees;
- Demonstrates a well-organized plan and budget;
- If planting fruit trees, develops harvest guidelines so that the fruit is shared or donated for a specific purpose, fruit is harvested only when ripe, and plants are not damaged during harvest.
How can the Grant be used?
Grant funds must be used to promote educational tree planting events in Alaskan communities through one or more of the following activities:
- Providing grants for schools, soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), local governments, tribes or other non-profit organizations to purchase native trees, seedlings, or orchard trees for planting as a schoolwide or classroom project.
- Supplies such as mulch, stakes, and gloves for planting activities.
- Educational materials.
- School, SWCDs, local park foundation or other local non-profit organization sponsored fall, spring or summer tree plantings events on school grounds or on nearby public lands. Alaska Community
- Forestry staff can assist and coordinate with schools and other interested parties, such as the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
- Creation of outdoor learning environments. Includes planting trees for outdoor classrooms, nurseries, or food forests. Applicants are encouraged to make use of existing resources such as invasive or beetle-killed trees to construct classroom furnishings.
- Equipment rental or lease (leases must be specified in the grant proposal and agreement).
- Conducting classroom or field presentations on the importance of trees, how to plant trees and how to care for trees. A variety of instructional techniques may be used including actual plantings, PowerPoint and video.
- Giving educational presentations on the threat and impact of invasive species in Alaska.
For more information, visit Tree-Vitalize Grants for Alaska schools.
