DNR awards $135,000 for community tree programs

DNR’s Division of Forestry has awarded $135,000 in federal funds to 12 cities, towns and non-profits in Indiana for urban forestry projects.

The projects include tree inventory and analysis for management planning, new tree plantings and education and awareness campaigns. Urban forests enhance air and water quality, making communities healthier, safer and more beautiful.

Funds for tree inventory and analysis were awarded to: the cities of Elkhart, $20,000; Kendallville, $17,425; and West Lafayette, $18,562; and the town of Pendleton, $11,575.

Funds for tree-planting projects that target environmental issues such as water quality, flooding, air quality and pollutants were awarded to: the cities of Bloomington, $10,000; and Fort Wayne, $10,000; the towns of Churubusco, $4,000; Dyer $9,000; Mount Ayr, $2,000; and Valparaiso, $7,688; and the Rensselaer Urban Forest Council, $5,250.

Funds for urban forestry awareness, education, and outreach projects were awarded to the Indiana Urban Forest Council, $17,500, and the City of Bloomington $2,000.

Funding came through the DNR Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) program from the U.S. Forest Service.

To learn more about the projects listed above or about community and urban forestry in Indiana, or to request an urban forestry visit to your community, contact Carrie Tauscher, acting community and urban forestry coordinator, at (317) 234-4386 or ctauscher@dnr.IN.gov.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.