Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Announces Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards

Contact: Sterling Ivey
(850) 617-7737
Sterling.Ivey@freshfromflorida.com

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Announces Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service is awarding 27 city, county, and non-profit entities with over $260,000 dollars in grant funding as part of the 2012 Urban and Community Forestry grants.

“With over 75% of Florida’s population living in urban areas, access to green spaces can be challenging,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “The Urban and Community Forestry grants provide the necessary link between cities and Florida’s natural resources, allowing even the most urbanized citizens to enjoy the benefits trees have to offer.”

Administered by the Florida Forest Service, the grants are funded as part of a nationwide campaign by the USDA Forest Service, program participants receive reimbursement for practices such as conducting community tree inventories, preparing urban forestry management plans, developing local tree ordinances, hiring temporary staff, purchasing urban forestry equipment, conducting personnel training, and creating urban forestry education programs.

“Trees provide numerous amenities to urban communities including clean air, lower energy costs, storm water abatement, increased property values, and improved neighborhood aesthetics,” said Jim Karels, director of the Department’s Florida Forest Service. “These grants are important for ensuring urban forests and its amenities are available for many generations.”

For a list of the 2012 grant winners, applicants should visit the Florida Forest Service website, www.floridaforestservice.com. Additional information about eligible practices, program requirements and procedures is provided. Each year, the Florida Forest Service accepts applications from January through March. Qualifying applications are then evaluated and ranked for funding approval.

The Florida Forest Service manages over one million acres of public forest land while protecting over 26 million acres of homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.

For statewide forestry updates and wildfire information, visit www.floridaforestservice.com or follow FFS on Facebook or Twitter.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit. www.FreshFromFlorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook or Twitter.

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