IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029
Grants will help add Thousands of New Trees in Cities Across the State
HANOVER, MD (June 3, 2024) The Maryland Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the sixth round of funding of its Urban Tree Grant Program. The grants are part of the department’s commitment to support Maryland’s goal of planting five million trees by 2031 through initiatives that add thousands of new trees a year across the state.
“The Maryland Department of Transportation is a proud leader in supporting the state’s climate goals and the Urban Tree Grant Program is one of many actions we are taking to help reach them,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Native trees planted with funds from this program will grow to provide shade in cities across the state and cool temperatures in pavement prone areas.”
The Urban Tree grants are available to communities impacted by transportation projects and seek to help urban areas affected by environmental justice issues or the “heat island effect,” which refers to urbanized communities that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Recipients can receive up to $5,000 in funding for tree plantings, with more available for pocket forest projects. The Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Fall 2024 tree planting season until 4:30 p.m. on July 15.
Among eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations, schools, local business associations, youth and civic groups. For details on the program and to apply visit the program’s website here.
The Urban Tree Grant Program has awarded over $120,000 across more than 40 communities since its launch in 2022, resulting in the planting of about 2,000 trees. Trees planted with funding from this program count towards Maryland’s progress in meeting the Five Million Trees goal and should be registered with the state’s “Register Your Tree” tool available here. The site also provides a resource library with tree planting tips and guides, a map of statewide tree planting assistance and rebate programs and volunteer and training opportunities to get more people involved in tree plantings across Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Transportation is one of several state agencies involved in the Growing 5 Million Trees initiative, established by the Tree Solutions Now Act in 2021. The initiative is led by a commission chaired by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The grant program is a partnership with the Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
For questions regarding the Urban Tree Grant Program contact the Program Manager, Allison Breitenother at abreitenother@mdot.maryland.gov.