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DEP AWARDS GRANTS TO
45 COMMUNITIES FOR TREE MANAGEMENT
The New Jersey Community Forestry Program
has announced the recipients of the 2002 Green Communities
Challenge Grants. The grants enable municipalities and counties
to create Community Forestry Management Plans, a first step
in compliance with the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community
Forestry Assistance Act.
A total of 45 towns and counties will receive
grants under this matching grant program sponsored by the
state Department of Environmental Protection's Forest Service.
(A list of recipients by county is attached.)
"Compliance with the act ultimately
improves tree health, gives the community access to special
grant funding and allows for protection from tree related
liability," explained State Environmental Protection
Commissioner Bob Shinn.
Each grant of $2,000 will be matched by
the community with an amount equal to or greater than one-half
of the grant with either cash or in-kind services. Most
of this will be budgeted to hire a forestry consultant who
will work closely with community representatives to assess
their trees and prioritize the required work throughout
the next five years.
Once the work plan is approved by the state
and two people in the community receive appropriate training,
the community is afforded indemnification from tree related
liabilities. This protection is available because the trees
are being cared for in a safe and sustainable fashion in
compliance with the act.
Communities that are in compliance also
are eligible to apply for up to $9,000 per year in Community
Stewardship Incentive Program Grants designed to fund the
implementation of their management plans. In 2002, there
is $650,000 available for these stewardship grants statewide.
Since 1998, 177 communities have received
these grant funds. Due to the record number of applicants
this year, the USDA Forest Service is funding this year's
grant program through the National Urban and Community Forestry
Program in conjunction with specially allocated state funds.
For more information on community forestry
initiatives contact: NJ DEP - Division of Parks and Forestry,
Community Forestry Program, PO Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404
or call (609) 292-2532. Further details are also available
on the Community Forestry web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/community.
DEP Awards Grants to 45 Communities
for Tree Management
[Alphabetical by county]
Atlantic County
Atlantic City
Hammonton
Linwood
Bergen County
Closter
New Milford Borough
Ramsey Borough
Tenafly
Burlington County
Delanco
Medford Lakes
Palmyra
Cape May County
Wildwood Crest
Gloucester County
Washington Township
Woodbury City
Woodbury Heights
Hudson County
Hoboken
Hunterdon County
County of Hunterdon
Tewksbury Township
Mercer County
Hopewell Borough
Middlesex County
County of Middlesex
Sayerville
South Plainfield Borough
Monmouth County
Asbury Park
Avon By The Sea
West Long Branch Borough
Morris County
Chatham Township
Chester Township
Hanover Township
Long Hill Township
Madison Borough
Washington Township
Ocean County
Brick Township
Seaside park Borough
Passaic County
Prospect Park Borough
Wayne Township
Salem County
Pittsgrove Township
Somerset County
Bernards Township
Bound Brook
Sussex County
Andover Township
Branchville Borough
County of Sussex
Stanhope Borough
Union County
Berkeley Heights
Warren County
Hardwick Township
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