PA Urban & Community Forestry Council January 2016
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Happy New Year!

The New Year has begun and for many of us in Pennsylvania it's brought chilly temperatures reminding us that we are, indeed, in Winter.  

As we move into this new year, we are happy to have you along with us, focused on assisting Pennsylvania communities in learning about and nurturing our urban and community forests.  

Through our grants program, technical assistance, Tree Tenders trainings, and social media outreach, we are looking forward to a year filled with strong partnerships and ongoing education. 

Please let us know how we can assist you! 
Promotion
2016 TreeVitalize Grant Opportunities

We are pleased to announce exciting changes in our grant opportunities in 2016. Resulting from our efforts to streamline the application and granting process, we are transitioning to an annual grant round in lieu of multiple grant rounds per calendar year. This shift will allow those communities awarded funding two full planting seasons to complete their projects. Funding for tree planting and inventory projects are made possible through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and administered by the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council

Planting Grant 
TreeVitalize works to increase tree canopy cover throughout Pennsylvania communities while building citizen appreciation and support for sustaining urban forests.  This program offers grants to communities and non-profit organizations to offset the cost associated with establishing new trees while including the involvement of community residents.  Successful applicants focus on volunteer stewardship, thoughtful consideration given to tree species, and reinforce the benefits of urban and community trees. 

Street Tree Inventory Grant 
A street tree inventory provides communities with an understanding of the composition, health, and  condition of their public trees.  Opportunities to plant  trees and information needed to plan for  long term management of trees are some of the additional benefits of an inventory.  TreeVitalize is committed to assisting communities in developing useful street tree inventories through our granting program.  Municipalities throughout Pennsylvania are encouraged to contact us for additional information.  

Application Deadlines
Planting Grants : September 1, 2016
Street Tree Inventory Grants : preliminary applications due June 1, 2016

Application Information
Online applications will be available by February 1, 2016.  If you have never applied for a TreeVitalize grant or have questions about the grant program or any aspect of TreeVitalize, please contact us directly.

Contact Information
Questions concerning current TreeVitalize grants including payments and final reports, as well as any questions regarding interest in upcoming grant opportunities, please contact Jessica Cavey, Development and Grants Coordinator - 717/599.8650 or [email protected].

Please Note:
Applicants interested in acquiring trees for their community within Allegheny County may contact the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC).  TreeVitalize offers a "Tree Request" opportunity managed by our southwestern TreeVitalize partner, WPC. 

Applicants interested in acquiring tree for communities within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia may contact the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). TreeVitalize offers a "Tree Request" opportunity managed by our southeast TreeVitalize partner, PHS. 


Promotion

 Tree Tenders Training



  Become one of the Tree Tenders restoring and 
tending your part of the forest!
 
Tree TendersĀ® is a training program that educates residents to make dramatic strides towards restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities. The course is designed for anyone with an interest in trees - no previous experience necessary. This training course was developed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) in collaboration with Penn State Extension Urban Foresters in southeast Pennsylvania. 

Instruction is provided by DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, in partnership with Penn State Extension, PHS, WPC, Tree Pittsburgh and other local urban forestry experts. 

Completion of a Tree TendersĀ® Workshop fulfills a requirement for TreeVitalizeĀ® Statewide Tree Planting Grant and Pittsburgh /Philadelphia Tree Requests.
Training Topics
Tree Biology
Urban Stresses on Trees
Tree Identification
Tree Pruning and Root Care
Tree Planting Techniques
Community Organizing
 
Continuing Education Credits
ISA Certified Arborist, SAF, and ASLA awarded for each session.

Tree Tender Training Manuals
Training manuals will be mailed to each registrant.

Upcoming Training Dates:
Online Tree Tenders Course - beginning January 21, 2016


 
Promotion
2016 Urban & Community Forestry Conference

Save the Date
May 18-19,2016
Allentown, PA
 
Follow us on Facebook for conference updates


 
About Us

 

Pennsylvania Community Forests (PCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to folks who want to improve our community forests and green spaces. PCF guides a statewide program that provides technical and financial assistance for communities and volunteer groups. Pennsylvania Community Forests Council serves as a vehicle for DCNR Bureau of Forestry and Penn State University (PSU) to accomplish various things that require the participation of an independent non-profit entity. We serve as a clearinghouse of information for the community and dispense such funds and grants as are made available to the organization.

 

For more information, visit PA Community Forests or TreeVitalize

 


 

Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council 

P.O. Box 610, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108-0610 / 717.599.8650 / [email protected] 

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