Project Canopy, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s community forestry program, has awarded $106,243.00 in grants to local governments and municipalities, educational institutions and non-profit organizations that support community efforts to develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.

“Project Canopy increases community awareness of the benefits of our forests and trees and  promotes community forest management practices,” Gov. Paul R. LePage said. “It also supports Maine jobs by benefiting local landscapers, nurseries, foresters and loggers.”

Commissioner Walt Whitcomb highlighted that Project Canopy grants support important segments of the Maine economy. “In addition to the impact on the forest industry, these grants support Maine’s horticulture industry. That industry supports 7,826 jobs with a total annual economic impact of $286 million,” Whitcomb said. “Project Canopy supports and enhances economic growth and jobs in that growing segment of Maine’s economy as well.”

The cooperative partnership between the Department’s Bureau of Forestry and GrowSmart Maine awarded 6 Planning and Education grants and 11 Tree planting and Maintenance Grants.

Planting grants were awarded to:

• Alna Volunteer Fire Department – $4,478
• Town of Camden - $8,000
• Town of Cape Elizabeth - $7,299
• Town of Houlton - $8,000
• Life Enrichment Advancing People (Farmington) - $2,500
• The Longfellow School (Portland) – 4,430
• Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, Inc. (Freedom) - $2,822
• Town of Rockport - $4,185
• Town of Topsham - $8,000
• Town of Veazie - $4,000
• Town of Yarmouth - $7,995

Planning Grants were awarded to:

• Androscoggin Land Trust (Canton and Jay) - $10,000
• Lake Auburn Watershed Neighborhood Association (Auburn) - $7,230
• City of Lewiston - $10,000
• Town of Old Orchard Beach - $7,954
• Vinalhaven Land Trust (Vinalhaven) - $6,850
• Town of Wilton  - $2,500

The 2013 Project Canopy grants were selected from a total of 27 applications, with grant requests totaling $185,510.

Project Canopy Assistance Grants are available to state, county, and municipal governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations for developing and implementing community forestry projects and programs.  Planting projects increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance, while planning and education projects support sustainable community forestry management, and efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests. All grants require a 50% match from the grant recipient.

Project canopy is funded by the USDA Forest Service Community Forestry Assistance Program. The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program was established to promote natural resource management in populated areas and improve quality of life.

To learn more about the Project Canopy Assistance program, contact Project Canopy Director Jan Ames Santerre at 207-287-4987.

More information is available at www.projectcanopy.me.

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: www.maine.gov/acf.