Deadline: 13-Nov-20
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, in cooperation with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the Oklahoma Urban and Community Forestry Council, announces the availability of grants designed to establish and promote urban and community forestry in the state of Oklahoma.
The intent of the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to enable local communities to effectively manage and improve their community forest. Components of a successful community forestry program involve much more than tree planting but include planning, maintenance, protection, education and training, and utilization of the community forest resource.
One of the most important aspects of urban and community forestry is maintaining a broad base of citizen support. The promotion of volunteerism and involvement of nonprofit organizations will aid in securing citizen support.
Purpose
- The intent of the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to enable local communities to effectively manage and improve their community forest.
- Components of a successful community forestry program involve much more than tree planting but include planning, maintenance, protection, education and training, and utilization of the community forest resource.
- One of the most important aspects of urban and community forestry is maintaining a broad base of citizen support.
- The promotion of volunteerism and involvement of nonprofit organizations will aid in securing citizen support.
Types of Grant
- Public Tree Inventory and Health Assessments
- Planning and management Plans
- Staffing
- Educational
Funding Information
- The range for federal funding requests is $1,000 to $10,000.
- Federal funding requests outside this range will not be considered.
- There is no limit on the number of applications an eligible group may submit.
- The federal sum total awarded to a group will be a maximum of $20,000 per year.
General Overview
- Federal funding requests are limited from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for each project submitted.
- All grant-related projects must occur in Oklahoma.
- The applicant must provide at least 50% of the total project cost.
- Applicants 50% may include cash, in-kind services, or donations.
- Projects may not include the purchase of equipment (equipment use fees are acceptable).
- All funds related to projects may not be used as a match for any other Federal cost-share projects.
- Applications must be for projects, programs, or activities not currently being funded, and may not be a substitute for existing funding.
- This is a reimbursement type grant.
Priority Emphasis Areas
- Master Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan to achieve visual and spatial unity within the community. The plan should reflect the long-term goals and objectives established by a tree board, tree commission, or city council and address the planting, maintenance, and replacement needs of community trees.
- Street Tree Inventory: Develop a method to document the types and locations of trees and outline the needs of a community’s tree population. Collect inventory data, analyze, and publish results. Inventory information may include species, site limitations (i.e. overhead utility lines), location, general tree condition, and maintenance needs. Inventory information may also include suitable planting sites for new trees and hazardous tree locations.
- Local Government Staffing: Employ or contract with part-time or full-time (temporary) staff to assist in urban and community forestry program development. Duties may include coordinating and supervising a street tree inventory project, a major street tree planting project, or a maintenance project. Candidates for employment may include student interns, graduate urban foresters, consultants, or other qualified individuals.
- Nonprofit Organization Staffing: Employ part-time or full-time (temporary) staff to assist in organization program development or expansion. Duties may include coordinating organization or volunteer efforts or assisting with administrative tasks or technical assistance. Candidates for employment may include student interns or other qualified individuals.
- Develop Tree Board or Tree Commission: Organize a new city tree board or tree commission to develop and administer a comprehensive city tree management program. A tree board or commission is typically a group of concerned citizens charged by ordinance to act on behalf of the city. A proposal may include administrative or educational expenses associated with organizing such a group.
- Public Tree Ordinance: Develop or revise a municipal tree ordinance that addresses such matters as establishing municipal authority over public trees, assigning responsibility to a public employee or department, setting maintenance and management standards, and defining nuisance conditions of private trees. This ordinance may be a new or an existing ordinance. A proposal may include educating citizens about the purpose and provisions of the ordinance.
Eligibility Criteria
- State and local units of government
- Non-profit organizations with current federal ID number
- Neighborhood Associations with current federal ID number
- Civic groups
- Educational institutions
- Tree volunteer groups with current federal ID number
Who May Not Apply:
- Those who are debarred from participating in federal grant programs or were previously awarded a U&CF Grant and did not complete the expected accomplishments and grant requirements.
Selection Process
- A committee of the Oklahoma Urban and Community Forestry Council will rate applications and submit them to the State Forester.
- The State Forester will review the rated applications.
- The Board of Agriculture will review and approve the grant funding.
- Forestry Services will notify the applicants of the status of their project.
Reporting System for projects selected
- Financial record-keeping is required. Records will be maintained according to all Federal Regulations.
- A summary of all accomplishments, expenditures, and a copy of materials produced MUST be submitted with your request for final payment.
- If the project involves tree planting, maintenance activities must be reported for the entire three- year establishment period.
- Newly planted trees must pass state inspection to insure that proper planting techniques have been followed.
For more information, visit http://www.forestry.ok.gov/