TreePennsylvania’s PA’s Environmental Justice Forests grant program aims to provide opportunities for communities to increase tree canopy within specific Environmental Justice (EJ) areas throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while concurrently engaging and educating community members on the myriad of benefits provided by community and urban forests. With a multi-phase, multi-year approach, PA’s EJ Forests plans to : (1) increase tree equity scores through targeted tree plantings in multiple communities across the Commonwealth, (2) provide Tree Tender training for members within those communities, and (3) provide technical assistance through the development of sustainable urban and community forestry practices. This collaborative project, in coordination and partnership with Penn State Extension Urban Foresters as well as PA DCNR Service Foresters, will directly assist communities in addressing climate resiliency, storm water reduction, water quality improvement, urban heat island mitigation, as well as increasing the health and wellbeing of community members.
PA’s Environmental Justice Efforts
The Commonwealth of PA’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Environmental Justice provides a wealth of information about this important topic. Those interested in learning more can visit :
PA DEP : Environmental Justice Policy – September 2023 (slides)
PA DEP : Office of Environmental Justice (website)
TreePennsylvania PA’s Environmental Justice Forest’s Grant Program
The primary goal of this program is to provide funding for Bare Root Trees within Environmental justice areas throughout the Commonwealth. TreePennsylvania was fortunate to receive generous funding through PA DCNR for this grant program.
Accurate mapping tools to determine areas in need
To that end, TreePennsylvania will ask applicants to utilize the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) and DEP Environmental Justice layers on TreeKeepers, the DCNR tree mapping tool, to identify potential tree planting areas which meet the specific criteria for this grant program. CEJST is a screening tool developed by the Council on Environmental Quality as directed by President Biden in 2021. This mapping tool uses specific dataset as indicators of burden, including : climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development. For more information about data and methodologies specific to CEJST, visit their website.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the RFP Proposal Document to learn more about eligibility, timeline, grantee requirements, costs, etc.
Timeline
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the timeline below and determine if a project of this magnitude would fit within their current planting expectations.
Application Phase :: During this time, eligible communities are encouraged to attend weekly Information Webinars every Friday from May 10 – June 14, 2024. All applications are due by 4:00pmET Friday, June 14, 2024.
Award Phase :: All decisions on funding awards will be announced via email on July 1, 2024. In addition, awarded communities are required to attend one-on-one meetings following the award announcements.
Phase I :: July 1 – December 31, 2024 Awarded communities, with guidance from PA DCNR Service Foresters and/or PSU Extension Foresters, would conduct planting site evaluation and any necessary site preparation.
Phase II :: January 1 – December 31, 2025 Awarded communities would conduct two sessions (Spring and Fall) of tree planting and maintenance.
Funding Opportunities
Applicants may apply for funding to cover costs related to bare root tree costs and delivery as well as site preparation costs. All tree plantings must occur on publicly accessible and publicly owned and identified as CEJST and DEP EJ Area. More information is available in the RFP Proposal document (see above).
Information Webinars
To provide more information, and guidance on eligibility and grantee requirements, TreePennsylvania is hosting weekly webinars for this grant program. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend or contact Jessica directly (grants@treepennsylvania.org). Registration is not required.
Webinar Link : https://zoom.us/j/98496550673
Webinar Schedule : Fridays @ 9:30am – May 10, 17, 31, June 7, 14
RFP Application – due June 14, 2024
Interested applicants are encouraged to review DCNR’s TreeKeeper mapping software to learn more about Environmental Justice areas in their communities.
The online application may be accessed here. A blank sample application is available below. Please contact Jessica with any questions or issues with the application.
Resources for Applicants
TreePennsylvania’s PA’s EJ Forests RFP Application Form
PA DCNR TreeKeeper mapping software
PA DEP : Environmental Justice Policy – September 2023 (slides)
PA DEP : Office of Environmental Justice (website)
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
treepennsylvania.org 