On Friday, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced the award of over $3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support urban and community forestry projects and workforce development initiatives. 

This funding is part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to advance environmental justice, generate economic opportunity, and build a clean energy economy nationwide. The grants are made possible by investments from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest climate investment in history.

Project Canopy, a DACF Maine Forest Service (MFS) program, is set to allocate $1.5 million in a competitive subgrant program aimed at municipalities and community organizations. This funding will support the upkeep of public right-of-way and park shade trees, risk mitigation efforts, and replanting initiatives to bolster climate change mitigation and resilience. Key determinants for grant approval will include designations as disadvantaged entities, evidence of pressing needs, proactive urban forest risk planning, community involvement and educational endeavors, and a demonstrated commitment to climate-responsive planning and planting for resilience against pests and storms.

The remaining $1.57 million allocation will fuel a pioneering initiative launched by the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), enabling the enlisting of five dedicated Community Tree Stewards, who will serve as full-time MCC members over four years. Communities interested in hosting an MCC Tree Steward should review materials on the MCC website. An application form specific for hosting an MCC Tree Steward will be released soon. If interested in hosting a steward you can also indicate this in your survey response.

In order to most effectively leverage this unique opportunity, Project Canopy is conducting a community needs survey to best utilize IRA funds allocated to the state of Maine to meet urban and community forestry (UCF) goals.

Please take a few moments to help inform the Maine Forest Service & Project Canopy as to how we can meet your UCF needs.