2004 Urban Forestry Grants Available


Auburn, April 8, 2004---Every year Neil Letson, coordinator of the Urban and Community Forestry 
Financial Assistance program for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, encourages Alabama 
municipal, civic and educational leaders to apply for federal grant money aimed at improving urban 
forestry resources.  
	
This year more than $429,000 is available to help Alabama communities fund projects that meet their 
urban forestry program needs, such as hiring city foresters, conducting community tree assessments, 
creating master tree planting plans, holding citizen workshops, and urban forestry demonstrations and 
much more.  

“These grants can provide communities with lots of opportunities, even at the most basic level of 
improving the way trees are planted,” Letson said.  	“Urban forestry projects also can help city 
leaders enhance their community’s economic profile by making their cities more attractive and unique in 
order to attract business and tourism.”
       
Two free workshops are scheduled for those interested in learning more about the program and how they 
can write a successful Urban and Community Forestry Financial  Assistance program proposal.  

Workshops are set for April 13 at Hoover Lake House on Municipal Drive, Hoover, and
April 14 at the Alabama Forestry Commission State Office located at 513 Madison Ave., Montgomery.   
	
Both workshops will begin at 10 a.m. and end at noon.  Representatives from local governments, 
nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education and Extension are invited to attend. 
	
The Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program is administered by the Alabama 
Cooperative Extension System with support from Auburn University School of Forestry, Alabama Forestry 
Commission, Alabama Urban Forestry Association and the U.S. Forestry Service. 
	
For more information, contact Letson at (334) 240-9360.