We’re excited to announce that seven projects have been funded by the Georgia Forestry Commission as part of the new Georgia’s Growing Green grant program. Green industry in our state has been hit hard in recent years by drought and the recession; these funds will help stimulate local economies while investing in the long term health of our urban forests.
More than 1500 trees will be planted across North Georgia; creating and retaining green jobs in nurseries, landscaping, tool and equipment sales and landscape architecture. These projects will provide environmental benefits ranging from more shade and less storm water runoff in downtown areas, to energy conservation through the strategic placement of trees at schools. Keep an eye out in your area; some projects will begin immediately to get trees in before the end of the planting season. The remaining trees will be planted next fall and winter.
Congratulations to the following communities and projects:
Utilizing Forestry Resources to Create Green Jobs and Restore Ecosystems – $344,758.98. Limestone Valley and Rolling Hills Resource Conservation and Development Councils will provide technical assistance to 47 Northwest Georgia community planting projects. Trees will be planted for a variety of environmental benefits in locations including school yards, parks and public rights of way.
Northeast Georgia Tree Planting for Ecosystem Restoration and Green Jobs – $225,669.12.The Chestatee-Chattahoochee, Upper Ocmulgee River and Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development Councils are working with local governments and the private sector to create and sustain green industry jobs by planting trees in Northeast Georgia. Trees will be planted for a variety of environmental benefits as part of 37 planting projects including school yards, parks and public rights of way.
Midtown Gainesville Multi-Use Trail – $10,000. The City of Gainesville proposes to restore part of the community forest in a portion of the urban core known as Midtown Gainesville. Specifically, the City will plant various native species of deciduous and evergreen trees along an abandoned railroad corridor that is a recently reclaimed Brownfield.
City of Hartwell Tree Project – $20,000. City of Hartwell will plant 50 street trees where they have been lost due to development or decline or in other open spaces. This planting will help to mitigate the urban heat island effect by providing shade and enhance storm drainage for the downtown area.
Trees Mean $Green$ – $50,000. City of Jefferson will plant 110 canopy trees on city street rights-of-way, in parks, in parking lots and on city school campuses in high priority sites identified during the 2009 and 2010 tree inventories. These plantings will stimulate the local economy, create green jobs, increase tree canopy cover and restore the community forest ecosystem. Trees will be planted where their function and benefits are maximized.
City of Royston Tri-County Wellness Park – $20,000. City of Royston has purchased 43 acres to establish a Tri-County Wellness Park. The City will restore some of the canopy that has been lost in the community due to development by planting 100 trees in this park.
A Walk in the Shade: Creating Green Jobs in Toccoa – $25,787. Toccoa will improve the walkability of downtown and lower the city’s heat index by planting 71 trees along downtown streets to replace those that have died or are in decline.
For more information about the Georgia’s Growing Green Grant program contact me at 478-538-8455 or svisser@gfc.state.ga.us.
Good for you, and Georgia, to have identified these funds and to make your urban centers more pedestrian friendly. This will benefit your communities for decades to come.Compliments.
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