Financial assistance to municipalities for activities that support urban tree planting in coordination with the GGCP and the DCR Urban and Community Forestry program is available.
Donor Name: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State: Massachusetts
City: Selected Cities
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/19/2022
Size of the Grant: $20,000
Details:
The program is part of the Commonwealth’s commitment to land conservation, tree planting and parks. The GGCP is designed to bring the energy efficiency and environmental benefits of a healthy tree canopy to Gateway Cities, which are former industrial cities identified by the Baker administration for targeted redevelopment efforts. So far, over 32,000 trees have been planted throughout 18 Gateway Cities.
GGCP is a partnership between the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), along with Gateway Cities and local grassroots organizations.
To fulfill the goals of the program, this program provides funding for projects that prepare areas for tree planting and support local GGCP activities. This grant is a reimbursement program.
Funding Information
- Maximum reimbursement is $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- This grant program is open to Gateway City municipalities where DCR is actively planting in FY23.
Eligible project(s)/scope(s) of work
Grant funding is available to reimburse municipalities for costs associated with; (i) identifying and preparing sites for tree planting and urban canopy enhancements including, but not limited to installation of catch basin tree pits, removal and replacement of impervious surfaces, stump removal required for tree planting, and soil enhancement; and (ii) stewardship activities including watering recently planted trees. See detailed descriptions below. Additionally, vacant lot reclamation activities may be eligible if planned in consultation with a DCR Urban and Community Forester.
- For projects to be deemed eligible, municipalities must:
- Submit, or have on file with EEA, a tree planting plan that identifies streets within the proposed planting zone with GGCP tree planting opportunities shown. The plan must identify:
- Proposed streets for planting with cross streets referenced
- Location of any overhead or underground utilities; applicants are encouraged to contact DigSafe to ensure underground utilities are identified appropriately if excavation is proposed.
- Public properties or land with locations currently available for tree planting (parks, schools etc.)
- If the municipality has a designated DCR planting zone, the plan should identify where proposed tree planting overlaps with DCR planting zones to better ensure GGCP objectives are met.
- Properties or proposed locations that present future planting opportunities the City anticipates pursuing.
- Coordinate review of proposed tree planting plans with their Planning Department as well as DCR Forester to ensure locations do not present concerns for utility or other infrastructure.
- If applying for funding to pursue vacant lot restoration, applicant must also include a list of municipal vacant properties identified for tree planting. Properties will be considered eligible if they are located within the DCR planting zone.
- Submit, or have on file with EEA, a tree planting plan that identifies streets within the proposed planting zone with GGCP tree planting opportunities shown. The plan must identify:
For more information, visit Municipal Partnership Grant.
