Urban and Community Forestry Grant Materials

I Introduction I Background I Eligible Recipients I Fund Availability I Requirements I Funding Evaluation Criteria I Federal Regulations I Accounting I Application I Application Checklist I Time Tables I Disbursement of Funds I Technical Assistance

Introduction

The Arkansas Forestry Commission announces the availability of $395,000 in Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program grants to facilitate Ice Storm 2009 recovery and restoration efforts. The grants are targeted for communities impacted by the storm. The USDA Forest Service Southern Region has provided these grant funds for assessment, planning, recovery and restoration activities. The goal of the program is to achieve healthy sustainable forests and improve natural resource management within the community.

Eligible Recipients

Funds are targeted for communities and other government entities that were affected by the ice storm in January 2009. Communities within the following counties are encouraged to apply for grant funding: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Pope, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington.

Eligible recipients include local government entities of affected communities. Non-profit organizations [501 (c) 3], educational institutions, neighborhood associations and citizen groups are encouraged to work with their government entities.

Availability and Matching Funds

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants will not be required to provide a match, but are required to document labor and equipment costs, whether in-kind or contracted, materials costs and the value of volunteer (rate is $17.50/hour) or donated services (market value.) Projects within Tree City USA communities may receive preference points.

Prior expenses including labor dating back to March 15, 2009 should be documented. FEMA reimbursements may not be used.

Requirements

Applicants receiving grant funding are encouraged to develop a management plan (unless already completed) for specific restoration and recovery projects to be accomplished. A professional forester, arborist or other qualified natural resource professional will define the scope and level of damage through a damage assessment (tree inventory.) Arkansas Forestry Commission Urban Representatives are available to assist with tree inventories for communities with populations of 5,000 or less. A certified arborist or equivalent will manage recovery efforts (pruning and hazardous tree removal.) Trees purchased for reforestation must meet the Standards for American Nursery Stock. The community and its volunteers are allowed to plant the trees with assistance by a professional horticulturist or equivalent or their local AFC County Forester. Individuals must be designated or hired to maintain the trees for one year.

AFC wants to assist communities with contracts by combining and administering all contracts for all communities participating in tree inventories and pruning and hazardous tree removals. This will reduce the cost for all projects and ensure the program is implemented in a timely manner.

Fundable Projects
There are three separate parts of the grant program: damage assessment, urban forest health and tree canopy restoration.

• Damage assessment
  • Tree inventories
  • Tree management plans
• Urban forest health
  • Pruning of street or park trees
  • Pruning of trees on other public grounds
  • Hazardous tree removal
• Tree canopy restoration
  • Street tree plantings
  • Park reforestation plantings
  • Hillside and stream bank plantings
  • Parking lot tree plantings
  • Energy conservation tree plantings

Funding Evaluation Criteria

The following will be utilized by the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the Grant Review Committee of the Arkansas Urban Community Forestry Council to rank applications for funding recommendation.

Application

1. Fill out the Redesign Urban & Community Forestry Grant application form.
2. Prepare a project budget form showing federal and non-federal funds. Please indicate the type of non- federal funds that will be used to match the grant funds: cash, services, or in-kind. A sample budget form is available for review.
3. Attach a narrative (no more than 3 pages) that is concise and answers ONLY the following:
   • Name of organization, type of project, and how funds will be used and the how it will be matched.
   • What is the extent of the existing tree management program within the community and how will this grant improve it or if a U&CF program does not exist how will this project help start a tree care program?
   • If the project is regional in scope what communities will be involved in the project?
   • What are the future plans to insure the project is a success?
   • Is the community(s) involved with this project a Tree City USA or working on the designation and how will it promote the program?

     TREE CITY USA qualifications are as follows:

     • a community tree ordinance and management plan
     • a tree board, or forestry department or designated person
     • expenditures of at least $2 per capita on tree care annually
     • an Arbor Day proclamation by the mayor and ceremony
   • How will the project incorporate the program goals and objectives?
   • Who will participate and what are their roles in the project and how will Arkansas Forestry Commission employees be involved?
   • Are their educational components to the project
   • What watershed(s) will be impacted by this project?
   • If participating in the Visiting Forester program, describe goals related to Guidelines for VUF Report Checklist (see page 16-18).
   • What is the proposed time frame for the project?
   • Is there additional information that helps describe the proposed project?
   • Fill out the Governor's briefing form. Fill out all the required federal forms listed in the Federal Regulations and Forms section.
   • Mail (faxes not acceptable) three (3) copies of the application package to: