Grants for tree planting available
If you are wishing there were more trees, but would like a little help with the cost of planting, the state has a couple of programs for you. Officials are offering coupons for individuals and grants to groups:
A state group called The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee is now taking grant applications for public land plantings and educational projects. They're handing out awards up to $1,500 to towns, homeowner associations, parks, schools and other groups that plant trees.
The applications can be downloaded and are due by Sept. 15. Future grant deadlines are in February and June. They need to be signed by a local Forestry Board member. Call you local Forestry Office for help with that. Or contact Wanda MacLachlan at 410-531-5973 or at wtm@umd.edu.
And for individuals, the state is offering $25 discount coupons for native trees costing $50 or more in an effort to get private citizens to plant 50,000 new tress by 2010. There is information about the tree program www.trees.maryland.gov. There's also tree planting advice there.
With an eye on the goal, the state also wants people to register their trees -- and calculate their benefits.
Baltimore Sun file photo of ginkgo biloba tree outside of the Sun's Calvert Street offices/Algerina Perna
Comments
It's really great that they are providing incentives to make sure that more trees are planted, especially in our local communities. Let's hope that we can reach that goal to make Maryland a little more green.
Posted by: Patrick | July 21, 2009 4:43 PM
I hope many people take advantage of these programs. Not only a cost effective way to help the environment but to beautify our land.
Posted by: nhnursery | July 22, 2009 12:30 PM
that is a very good sign encouraging people and giving them good incentives to plant a tree . plantation is very much important for ours and our future healthy and serene environment .
Posted by: ERIC JOHN | July 27, 2009 5:37 AM
it is very good sign for healthy environment.
Tree Plantation helps us to grow in a safer environment.
Posted by: virginia bed and breakfast | July 28, 2009 6:32 AM
Thanks guys for the info about the applications..we're trying to keep ourselves updated too! http://baltimoresbesttreeservice.com/wordpress/?p=159
Posted by: Kristen M. Garcia | August 4, 2009 5:22 PM
Several times this year, I've read about grants to plant trees.
What I don't recall reading about were grants for maintenance costs to care for trees.
It seems that an ideal grant system would have near equal grant money for maintenance as for planting. That would cover the long-term establishment as well.
MDV / Oregon
Posted by: M. D. Vaden Tree Care | November 29, 2009 9:38 PM