2024 Community and Urban Forestry Newsletter

*To view previous newsletters visit our website at CUF Newsletter *

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant

The Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, Community & Urban Forestry awarded $1.5 million in grants to 9 disadvantaged or underserved communities. Funding was made available through the USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry program.

Projects that were funded include tree planting and maintenance, workforce development, education, and tree inventories.

A second round of IRA funding will be announced early 2024.

Communities and organizations receiving funds include:

• Canopy Bloomington, $239,399 for education and maintenance.
• City of Jeffersonville, $63,500 for inventory and planting.
• City of New Albany, $250,000 for tree planting and education.
• City of Noblesville, $106,150 for tree planting.
• Regreening Greenfield, $50,000 for tree planting.
• Evansville Forest Alliance, $249,616 for inventory, planting, and education.
• Indiana Arborist Association, $250,000 for workforce development.
• Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, $239,457 for workforce development.
• TREES, Inc., $75,000 for tree planting.

Introduction to Madeline Gullion-Urban Forestry Specialist

Hey y’all! My name is Madeline Gullion, and I am the new Urban Forestry Specialist. I graduated in 2021 from Earlham College with a degree in environmental sustainability and outdoor education; my background is in community engagement and community forestry in the non-profit world. I love backpacking, sea kayaking, and creating fiber art with natural dyes. I am currently studying for the ISA exam! I will be working with disadvantaged and underserved communities to help improve their urban forestry programs. Specifically, I’ll be supporting the communities who were awarded funding through the IRA grant. I’m excited to be joining the CUF team, and I look forward to collaborating with you! Live, laugh, leaf! Madeline Gullion mgullion@dnr.IN.gov

Tree Stewards

April 4,5 - Scottsburg (Registration, agenda)

April 18,19 - West Lafayette (Registration and agenda TBA)

2024 Arbor Day Events

If you would like your communities Arbor Day events to be included in our next newsletter, please email them to Urbanforestry@dnr.IN.gov. This newsletter will be sent out in early/mid-April so, if possible, please try and have them sent to us by the end of March/beginning of April.

Building Backyard Habitat

Your backyard could be the perfect place for wildlife to call home. With the right habitat, you can help Indiana’s wildlife survive and thrive. Jessica Merkling, Urban Wildlife biologist with the Indiana DNR, will explain what you can do to build a backyard habitat every critter wants to find.

February 22 - Crown Hill Arboretum

More information