Grant dollars awarded to plant trees in Indiana

DNR’s Division of Forestry has awarded $121,203 in federal grant dollars to 16 cities, towns, and non-profits throughout the state to plant trees.

The cities, towns, and non profits awarded funds to help fill more than 850,000 vacant urban street and park tree spaces in the state include: Anderson Parks, Arrow Head Country RC&D for Winamac, Bloomington, Brownsburg, Evansville and Keep Evansville Beautiful, Franklin, Indiana Urban Forest Council, Inc., Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Kendallville, Muncie, Noblesville, Rensselaer, Tree Lafayette, TREES Inc. in Terre Haute, West Lafayette, and Westfield.

“Trees of the urban forest provide a significant environmental impact as they improve air quality and decrease storm water runoff, making these projects very important throughout the state,” said John Seifert, DNR State Forester.

Besides grant dollars, the urban forestry program visits municipalities to assess urban forestry needs, offer technical and educational assistance to establish an urban forestry management program, and help communities become a Tree City USA.

For more information, contact Pam Louks at (317) 591-1170 or plouks@dnr.IN.gov.