2015 Fall Tree Grant Application Now Available

Photo: On a sunny and bright Saturday, April 18, 2015, the RNeighborWoods team helped the NW Neighbors plant 25 new boulevard trees, thanks to a well-deserved Neighborhood Tree Grant.

Trees make good neighbors.

Since its creation in 2004, RNeighborWoods has organized 5,371 volunteers to plant 5,976 trees on Rochester boulevards. These trees provide multiple ecological and other public benefits including reducing Rochester’s carbon footprint. Once again the City of Rochester, RPU and RNeighbors is offering one grant for the winning neighborhood to receive 25 free boulevard trees.

Announcing the RNeighborWoods Tree Grant!

We have 25 trees that will all be awarded to a neighborhood that agrees to pitch in and help get the trees in the ground! You can read about the success of this spring’s RNeighborWoods Tree Grant recipients.

Now tell us your story and make a case for why your neighborhood is deserving of this leafy grant. Eligible neighborhoods must be either a registered Neighborhood Association in Rochester or willing to hear about the benefits of organizing into an Association.

Applications can be filled out online and will be accepted through Tuesday, August 18, at 5 pm.

Neighborhoods will need to work with neighbors determine appropriate tree locations.

Click here for a document that can help you in organizing your neighborhood for the Neighborhood Tree Grant.

Tree varieties available have been selected by the City Forestry Department, and include Ginkgo, Disease Resistant Elms, Kentucky Coffeetree, Amur Maackia, and others. For spaces under power lines, the appropriate variety will be chosen that will not need to be cut back.

Each application must ensure:

• At least 30 neighbors and one Citizen Forester will be available to help with the planting. RNeighborWoods will oversee the planting.
• There must be a core planning group of four neighbors who commit to taking an active role in the planting planning.
• Once the grant is received the core planning group from each neighborhood must work with neighbors to determine locations for each tree.
• The core planning group will meet with some of the RNeighborWoods team at the end of August to go over steps needed for the planting.
• Planting date must take place on Saturday, September 26, 9 am-noon (rain or shine).
• Neighbors will commit to watering the trees for three full years.
• Boulevard tree recipients must understand that there are times when trees do not survive. There will not be replacement trees for trees that die.

The purpose of the RNeighborWoods Tree grant is to encourage the planting of trees on neighborhood boulevards. RNeighborWoods recognizes the importance and value of trees in Rochester neighborhoods. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits such as lower crime, cleaner air, energy savings, more public revenue, higher property values, and more efficient stormwater management.

The RNeighborWoods committee will evaluate applications and make decisions at a meeting. Winners will be communicated with by Tuesday, September 1, 2014. Fill out your application today!

Check out RNeighbors on Facebook and see fun photos from past tree planting activities.

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