Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Communities

Posted by on December 03, 2012

TD Bank and Arbor Day Foundation Announce Program to Support Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Communities
Deadline: January 31, 2013

TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation have announced the launch of TD Green Streets, a new grant program that will offer ten $20,000 grants in support of innovative urban forestry initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

Funding will support the purchase of trees, tree planting and maintenance, and educational activities. Up to 50 percent of the proposed funding can be used to purchase new trees.

To be eligible for a TD Green Streets grant, qualified municipalities must be a current (2011 approved) Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA-designated community within TD Bank’s United States footprint. Proposed new trees must be planted in neighborhoods identified as low- to moderate-income. Municipalities are encouraged to apply in partnership with community partners such as nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, etc.

Grant applications will be reviewed according to a variety of criteria, including innovation, demonstrated understanding of the purpose of the program and in designing a program that promotes innovative, sustainable practices, and tools that benefit the community’s urban forest management plan; partnership/community involvement, demonstrated ability to involve the community, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, corporate sector, etc., in the program; technical training/education, a commitment to the training and continuing education of community staff and volunteers through workshops, accreditation, conferences, etc.; a maintenance plan to ensure survivability of new trees; and a system in place to evaluate the success of the program.

Complete program information, list of eligible communities, and online application are available at the TD Green Streets Web site.

http://www.tdgreenstreets.com/