New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that applications are now being accepted for a total of $12.9 million for urban and community forestry projects through the Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunity. Earlier this month Governor Hochul announced the funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase equitable access to healthy trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.

“DEC is grateful to President Biden and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack for this substantial investment in New York’s urban forestry program and to be able to offer this historic funding opportunity to improve the health of trees and green spaces in disadvantaged communities, increase urban tree cover, and support New York’s aggressive climate requirements,” said Commissioner Seggos. “I encourage all eligible entities to take advantage of this funding to safeguard and increase the numerous environmental, economic, and public health benefits of their community forests.”   

Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA). The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry program is holding a virtual information session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide information on this limited-time funding opportunity. The information session will cover eligible applicants and projects, application requirements and scoring, and other information that will help applicants plan their projects. Register for this webinar here. 

For more information on DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry program and the application process for the Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grants visit DEC’s website.