The Georgia Tree Council (GTC) and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, announce the 2023 Georgia ReLeaf program.
Donor Name: Georgia Tree Council
State: Georgia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $15,000
Details:
This program makes funding available to municipalities, government agencies, non-profits and educational institutions in Georgia for tree planting and tree-giveaway projects.
The USDA is a partner on the Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Promoting Equitable Access to Nature in Nature-Deprived Communities, which seeks to reduce the number of people without access to parks and nature in their communities. The America the Beautiful Initiative supports the prioritization of locally led conservation and park projects in communities that disproportionately lack access to nature and its benefits.
Projects submitted must be for 1) Tree Planting projects and/or 2) Tree Giveaway events which meet at least one of the program objectives.
- Tree Planting Projects must meet the following criteria:
- Take place within city/county limits or boundaries (parks, schools, playgrounds, greenspaces, rights-of-way, business districts, parking lots, downtown areas) and on city/county property. Personal property will not be considered.
- Include a tree planting site plan and map using aerial photography or GIS. Locations (addresses, zip codes or GPS coordinates) of all trees must be provided by the end of the project.
- Include a 3-year maintenance plan.
- Be endorsed by the local government or by the Department of Transportation, if applicable.
- Tree Giveaway Projects must:
- Distribute containerized (1 gallon to 15 gallon) trees to homeowners and residents
- Collect zip codes, addresses or census tracts from recipients indicating locations where trees will be planted and input data into a provided Survey123 mapping tool.
- Distribute educational materials, which will be provided by GFC, such as the Tree Owner’s Manual, links to instructional planting videos like this one on Planting Containerized Trees, species fact sheets and other tree care information for homeowners and residents.
- Develop a plan for the distribution of any trees remaining after the initial event.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Georgia ReLeaf Program are to:
- Contribute to tree equity in disadvantaged communities.
- Improve the environmental, economic, and social health of Georgia communities.
- Help sustain health and diversity in Georgia’s community forests.
- Improve planning efforts of city administrators, municipal tree departments and tree boards.
- Increase environmental and health benefits to combat the effects of climate change.
Funding Information
Maximum grant award is $15,000.
Project Evaluation
Project proposals will be evaluated on whether or not the information provided about the project indicates that the project:
- Meets a demonstrated urban forestry need for underserved communities
- Meets Georgia ReLeaf Program Objectives
- Has a realistic time frame for completion
- Is cost effective
- Has documented cash and in-kind matching commitment if applicable
- Has a planting plan with appropriate species for plantings
- Has a maintenance plan for plantings
- Enhances volunteer involvement
- Involves various partnerships
- Utilizes personnel that have qualifications to complete activities
- Generates local visibility, incorporates public relations and awareness
- Enhances environmental, social, cultural, historical, psychological and economical values
- Shows demonstrated ability of the applicant to follow through on project completion.
Eligible Recipients
Funds may be awarded to units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit organizations or educational institutions in Georgia. Other organizations, such as community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations or civic groups which are not 501(c)3 are eligible but must apply in partnership with a non-profit organization or with their local government.
For more information, visit Georgia Tree Council.
