The Chesapeake Bay Trust has awarded the Jones Falls Watershed Association a $33,000 grant, in partnership with the Greater Homewood Community Corp.(GHCC), to plant 485 trees in Baltimore City neighborhoods, parks, near schools and streets and other public right of ways. GHCC will receive $10,700 for their portion of the overall project.
"The recent award from the Chesapeake Bay Trust funded a portion of 40 Trees in 40 Neighborhoods, an ambitious goal to plant 40 trees in each neighborhood GHCC works in, and a key component of GHCC’s 40th Anniversary celebration," said Karen Stokes, Executive Director. The CBT funds will be used to plant at least 40 trees in Waverly, Better Waverly, Remington, Charles Village, Hampden, Medfield and Cross Keys. GHCC has always valued community organizing, so when they dreamed up the 40 Trees in 40 Neighborhoods initiative, it wasn’t just about putting trees in the ground – it was about increasing the capacity of the neighborhoods in which they work. They partnered with the Jones Falls Watershed Association because their technical expertise in planting trees uniquely complements their capacity for engaging community residents in improving their quality of life. "We really believe in this project’s ability to bring neighbors together, while simultaneously doing something really good for the City and the Chesapeake Bay," said Ms. Stokes. "We’re incredibly excited about getting to work!" About 1,000 city residents are expected to participate in the project. The grants are awarded quarterly by the Trust, and this round supports efforts to create "green schools" and improve the environmental literacy of Maryland’s students. The Trust, an independent nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, is interested in funding projects that increase tree canopy, reduce storm water runoff, improve water quality, enhance natural habitat and improve quality of life in urban areas. "The Trust supports urban greening for many reasons," said Dr. Jana Davis of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. "Green spaces and trees in urban areas help with energy costs by shading buildings. Trees and rain gardens help with storm water, by providing a filter for the pollutants that would otherwise flow straight into storm drains. Trees and gardens provide an aesthetic boost to an area, which often increases housing values. Most importantly, perhaps, our grant awards will help engage community members – over 2000 volunteers – in planting activities, teaching them about the impacts of trees on their communities and their watersheds." Highlights About Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Urban Green Grant Program FY 2010 Urban Greening Grants: Greater Homewood C.C.: $10,732; Jones Falls Watershed Association: $22,268; Herring Run Watershed Association: $21,005 for over 500 volunteers to plant 500 trees in several communities in the Herring Run watershed; Parks and People: $16,619 for 60 volunteers to plant 300 trees in the Westport community of Baltimore; and Baltimore County DEPRM: $20,000 to support the Growing Home campaign, which supplies coupons for individuals in Baltimore City, Baltimore and Harford Counties to plant trees on their private property. It is estimated that 2000 trees will be planted by 750 volunteers as a result of this program. Five of nine projects funded in the Trust’s FY 2010 Urban Greening Grants Program will take part fully or partly in Baltimore City; As a result of the five grants, over 3000 trees will be planted in Baltimore City and County; Since 2005, the Trust has funded the planting of over 15,000 trees in Baltimore City; The Trust anticipates making awards in its Urban Greening Grant Program again in 2010. Visit the Trust’s website in spring 2010 for updated information; The Trust is supported by the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate program (the "bay plate") and the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species line on the Maryland tax form; The Trust partnered with the TreeBaltimore Program in 2009, a city government program that provided much of the tree material for these groups; and The Trust has received support form their partner, the Home Depot Foundation ($100K in 2007) and the Abell Foundation ($25K in 2008).
