Morristown Receives Funds For Tree Planting

The Garden State is about to get a little more green.

Governor Chris Christie announced more than $1.5 million to be distributed across 32 New Jersey municipalities in urban and community forestry grants. These grants are authorized by the New Jersey Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program, a plan to ensure the state's forests continue to flourish in the face of natural disasters and infestations.

“A comprehensive community forestry program provides environmental, social and economic benefits,” said Carrie Sargeant, Coordinator of the state’s Urban and Community Forestry program. “Communities with approved community forestry management plans are not only providing their residents with benefits now, but creating communities that are providing these benefits for generations to come.”

The grants, ranging from $10,000 to $300,000, will allow various communities to plant trees, especially ash trees, which are threatened by the migrating emerald ash borer insects. Some communities will receive grants to buffer up protection for their tree stock, while others will receive funds to plant more trees. Morristown will be receiving funds for reforesting and replanting.

“It is important that our community forests are safe and resilient in the wake of natural disasters and insect infestations such as the Emerald Ash Borer,” said State Forester John Sacco, Assistant Director of the State Forest Service. “Active stewardship by our local governments, community volunteers and partners through these urban and community forestry projects is one of the most critical ways to ensure residents across New Jersey will see healthier and more sustainable forests.”

Resiliency planning grants have been awarded to the following municipalities: Franklin Township (Somerset County), Interlaken, Montclair, Totowa, and South Brunswick.
Hazard mitigation grants have been awarded to: Berkeley Heights, Bernards, Moorestown, Nutley, Pennington, Summit, and Washington (Burlington County).
Reforestation/tree planting grants have been awarded to: Bergenfield, Bloomfield, Bound Brook, Caldwell, Egg Harbor City, Freehold Borough, Garfield, Ho-Ho-Kus, Jersey City, Lawrence (Mercer County), Leonia, Manasquan, Morristown, Plainfield, Ridgefield, Rutherford, Secaucus, Washington (Warren County), Woodcliff Lake, and West Windsor Township.


For more information on Community Stewardship Incentive Program grants, visit:www.nj.gov/dep/grantandloanprograms/nhr_csip.htm

Image via dmedina, Morguefile, used under Creative Commons.