Urban & Community Forestry Grows Bigger Than Ever
Last month hundreds of urban and community foresters from around the country convened, not over Zoom or Teams, but in person during vibrant and energized round tables, presentations, and panels. Attendees of this year’s Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Seattle, WA shared one exciting mission: Be Bold.
From the Arbor Day Foundation’s opening statements to the last of the conferences’ lightning rounds, energy sizzled for all invested in urban and community tree programs. Amid the excitement, three key messages emerged:
- This is the moment for community trees: with a historic investment of $1.5 billion in urban and community forestry nationwide, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will transform the landscape, quite literally, as well as the field of urban forestry.
- This is the time to dream big and seize the opportunity to scale up the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry program as well as the regional and local community tree programs and careers that grow our community trees.
- All Vermonters should know that this unprecedented investment in urban and community forestry will bolster our tree stewards statewide - our audiences - from local tree stewards and municipal staff to state Agency and nonprofit partners.
Our program staff is considering how to best plan for these opportunities, catalyze our partners and local tree stewards, and share information. We will be hosting an open discussion via Zoom for our partners and audiences on February 14th, 6:30- 7:30pm to hear your ideas, encourage collaboration, and answer your questions as best we can.
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2023 Grant Applications due 12/30
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Communities Caring for Canopy grants provide seed funding to help communities develop and sustain community-wide programs for trees and forests in public places and right-of-ways. These grants allow for multiple program components to be merged into one grant application. $30,000 is available in grants ranging from $1,000 - $5,000.
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Growing Urban Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer Grants offer support to communities seeking financial assistance for tree planting and reforestation efforts in consideration of the impact of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) on all species of native ash trees. $80,000 is available in grants ranging $3,000 - $20,000. Eligibility aligns with the VT Department of Housing and Community Development's state designation programs.
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2023 Growing Works of Art: Branching Out
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Growing Works of Art is an arts and writing contest for students in grades K-8. The 2023 contest theme is: Branching Out. This theme celebrates the connections we share with trees by creating a work of art and written story that showcases a meaningful experience where students have grown, changed, or learned something new because of the trees in our lives. Students will write a short story (1-3 paragraphs) and create art illustrating their chosen tree. Learn more!
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2022 Fruit & Nut Tree Grant Report
The 2022 Vermont Fruit & Nut Tree Grant Program supported the purchase and successful planting and care of trees and shrubs for 20 grantee groups at 54 community growing sites across the state of Vermont. More than 580 individuals and over 1,750 volunteer hours made the planting of an estimated 515 fruit and nut trees and shrubs possible, including help from students, staff, parents, community volunteers, residents, garden members, and others. Check out the 2022 grantee highlights here.
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Obituary for State Champion Silver Maple
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The Vermont state champion silver maple ( Acer saccharinum) in Brattleboro was recently taken down due to poor health and safety concerns. Originally planted by the owners of the beautiful home that remains standing beneath its canopy, it grew with the family and their changes, coming full circle to once again watch over youngsters during times of growth and change. Our community will miss its silhouette, shade, and shelter but will hold its memory dear. Read the complete obituary here and learn more about the Vermont Big Tree Program.
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Upcoming Events
VT UCF will be hosting a series of winter webinars. Register below for a Zoom link. All webinars will be recorded.
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Survey on the Future of Vermont’s Forest Economy open until 1/31/23.
VT Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation seeks public input to identify opportunities to help Vermont chart a path forward to protect the long-term viability of forest-based businesses – and the many benefits they provide to the state’s environment, economy, and quality of life.
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