2024 Community & Urban Forestry Newsletter
* To view previous newsletters visit our website at CUF Newsletter *
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant awards
In August our program was able to award more than $2 million in grants to 16 applicants throughout Indiana with funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. In total, we received 23 applications with over $4 million in requests. Find the grant recipients below.
- City of Mount Vernon-$212,800
- Unity Gardens-$200,00
- City of Hammond/Delta Institute-$198,587
- Save Maumee-$177,823
- City of Elwood-$169,500
- City of Richmond-$159,789
- Jasper Newton Foundation-$157,945
- City of Terre Haute-$152,622
- City of Gary/The Nature Conservancy-$125,180
- Town of Clarksville-$122,000
- City of Shelbyville-$110,600
- City of Beech Grove-$103,500
- Northwest Landing-$74,940
- City of Kendallville-$63,845
- City of Madison-$47,725
Partners Conference 2024 - Chicago
The Arbor Day Foundation is thrilled to announce that the 2024 Partners in Community Forestry Conference and partnering events will be held in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 19–21.
This gathering unites passionate individuals, communities, organizations, and leaders to explore innovative solutions, share insights, and collaborate on the future of urban forestry. Join leaders across the industry as we focus on strengthening the bonds between people and trees, fostering sustainable practices, and creating green, thriving urban landscapes.
More information
Tree Stewards
Indianapolis - Oct. 12, 2024 (One day refresher course)
Agenda | Registration
Please contact Racheal Stenger for more information.
O: 317-234-6741
C: 317-519-0117
Rstenger@dnr.IN.gov
IRA Grant Opportunity - Receive Professional Urban Tree Canopy Data and Planting of 100 New Trees
Is your community looking for a way to expand tree canopy and build resilience to climate change? Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute’s Urban Green Infrastructure Resilience Cohort facilitates a science-backed, equity-based tree canopy assessment, tree planting, and maintenance program for Indiana local governments. In 2024, the cohort includes Elkhart, Evansville, Richmond, and Warsaw. In 2025, we will partner with another five to six communities across Indiana!
Your local government will receive up to 100 trees to be professionally planted and cared for in addition to technical expertise and training to help you engage with your community members. Each cohort member will receive trees and services valued up to nearly $150,000.
Find the application and additional details here. The priority application deadline is Oct. 1. If you have questions about the cohort, please contact Stephanie Freeman-Day at stjfreem@iu.edu.
Funding and Technical Assistance for Urban and Community Forestry Projects
River Network is thrilled to release a funding opportunity for urban and community forestry projects led by:
- Federally recognized Tribes, Alaska native corporations/villages, tribal organizations, organizations working in tribal communities, or
- Community-based non-profits
Grants will range from $75,000 to $200,000 over a one to three year period, dependent upon the project, its activities, and grantee capacity.
We’re seeking projects that will build equitable climate resilience and access to nature by increasing and improving the condition of a community’s tree canopy to address the challenges of flooding and extreme heat, community health concerns, and access to green jobs.
More information can be found here.
$8.5 Million Available through GreenLatinos for Urban Forestry projects
GreenLatinos is pleased to announce $8.5 million for community-based non-profit organizations interested in addressing tree equity, extreme heat, and urban forestry workforce development in their communities. This funding is made possible through the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program with the Inflation Reduction Act.
The only counties eligible in Indiana for this funding are Jasper, Lake, Porter, Newton, and Porter.
More information
2024 Big Tree Tour
CUF is proud to be able to expand its Big Tree Registry program this year with tours to celebrate large heritage trees around the state! On August 18, visitors from around southern Indiana attended a bus tour to see the statewide and Vanderburgh County champions around the city of Evansville. We also got to view some massive trees in the nation’s largest urban old-growth forest, Wesselman Woods. One of the most notable trees on the tour was the previous state champion yet still beloved cherrybark oak, housed on the Evansville State Hospital grounds and with a circumference of more than 21 feet around. What a tree to behold!
Newsletter Spotlight
Today’s newsletter spotlight is focused on the career path of Melanie Helmuth, urban forester for the City of Goshen. Melanie has worked for the city for 2 ½ years. Her primary responsibilities include maintaining street trees in the city right-of-way, performing tree consultations with city residents, coordinating volunteers, and planning the city’s annual Arbor Day celebration.
Many urban forestry professionals have a nonlinear path before arriving in the field of urban forestry, and we would like to celebrate and showcase the journey of Indiana’s urban forestry professionals in our newsletter.
Melanie describes her path to urban forestry below.
My favorite place to spend time growing up was halfway up the tulip tree in my backyard. It had perfectly positioned branches to climb and settle myself in for a long sit. From childhood through high school, I climbed that tree. I felt at home in that tree.
After high school, I attended Goshen College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater with a focus on stage management and a minor in American Sign Language. While I enjoyed using my degree as a part-time stage manager for a local high school theater, my main work ended up being landscaping and groundskeeping since I couldn’t keep myself from the outdoors.
Fast forward to 2020. We were in lockdown, and theater work was not an option. I had much more time to explore the outdoors in my free time. I was working on the grounds crew in a local school system at the time, and while I enjoyed working outside all day, I was more interested in learning more about environmental stewardship rather than mowing lawns. I had heard about the Indiana Master Naturalist class, and while I knew I would learn about different areas of the natural environment, I didn’t know how strongly the class would amplify my passion for working for our local environment. After I finished the class, I searched for every opportunity I could find to be an environmental steward.
In January of 2021, I joined the Goshen City Shade Tree Board, a group that works towards Goshen City’s goal of 45% tree canopy in the city by the year 2045. Through that board, I also joined the Trees for Goshen Board, which works towards the same goal but more with private homeowners within the city rather than public property. Being a part of these boards I began learning even more about tree health, tree IDing, and the many benefits of trees in an urban area. My free time was now consumed with learning everything I could about trees.
After being involved in the Shade Tree Board for a year, there was an Urban Forestry Assistant position with the Environmental Resilience Department in the City of Goshen. Although I did not have a degree in forestry, I took the leap and applied. Thankfully, the staff at the Environmental Residence Department took a chance on me and I began my journey as an Urban Forestry Assistant, which just recently turned into Urban Forester. Every day I learn more about our urban tree canopy, and what it takes to keep it healthy and thriving – I plan to one day take the leap to become a certified arborist. I truly enjoy working with and helping to educate the community about trees and their importance in our lives and in our ecosystem. Recently, I have been learning bits and pieces of tree climbing with a harness and rope systems. While it takes a lot of brain and physical power to learn to use all the equipment correctly, once I am up in the tree, I have that feeling I had as a child…. I feel at home in that tree.
Melanie Helmuth
City of Goshen Environmental Resilience Department
melaniehelmuth@goshencity.com
574-975-6254
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2024-2025 Arbor Day Poster Contest
Calling all fifth grade teachers!
Join fifth grade students and teachers across the state in submitting original artwork for the DNR Division of Forestry’s annual Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for the 2024-2025 school year is Healthy Trees, Healthy Me!
Students participating in this year’s contest can learn about how trees contribute to human health, including:
- producing the oxygen we breathe via photosynthesis,
- protecting our drinking water by filtering pollutants and reducing erosion,
- cooling the air which reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses,
- reducing stress and improving mood for people in public greenspaces,
- And more!
All Indiana schools and homeschooling families/co-ops are eligible to hold a schoolwide contest and submit their winning poster to the statewide contest.
Participating teachers are encouraged to engage with the contest theme in their classrooms to help inspire their students’ artwork. Teaching resources and standard alignments are provided on the contest webpage, along with full submission instructions and contest rules.
Submissions will be due April 1, 2025, and winners will be announced on April 21. Please call 317-234-6741 or email rstenger@dnr.IN.gov with any questions.
Indiana Community Forestry Council (IN-CFC)
The Indiana Community Forestry Council is excited to share some important updates and upcoming events with the community:
Join IN-CFC!
We warmly invite all friends, stewards, and practitioners of Indiana’s urban forests to join IN-CFC—membership is free! As a member, you'll help shape Indiana’s urban forests, collaborate with a diverse network, contribute to key discussions, influence state forestry decisions, and stay informed about the latest developments. Sign up today to take full advantage of what IN-CFC has to offer!
New Contact Email
For all inquiries, questions, and correspondence, please use our new email address: info.incfc@gmail.com. Please update your records to ensure smooth communication.
December Meeting
Save the date! Our annual general membership meeting will be held during the 2024 Indiana Community and Urban Forestry Symposium on Dec. 3 and 4 at Crown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum. Register here. As we conclude IN-CFC’s first year, we look forward to connecting with members, discussing community engagement, and exploring exciting new initiatives for the coming year.
Working Groups
We’re pleased to introduce new working groups within IN-CFC, each focused on a specific area:
- Membership Engagement: Strengthening member connections, increasing participation, and engaging underserved populations.
- Urban Forest Advocacy: Promoting public involvement in urban forestry and collaborating to strengthen understanding and policies.
- Urban Forest Management: Supporting local urban forestry initiatives through stakeholder collaboration, promoting best practices and resource-sharing.
- Educational Events: Facilitating impactful events and forums to share insights on urban forestry.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved!
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming meeting and building a more engaged IN-CFC community.
Sincerely,
IN-CFC Executive Council
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