Indiana inflation reduction act urban and community forestry program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded a $4,125,000 Project Grant through the Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program (CFDA 10.727) to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The grant supports urban and community forestry initiatives to advance environmental justice in underserved communities across Indiana. Key products and services funded under this award include:

• Developing an arborist apprenticeship program to train a minimum of 15 apprentices
• Planting 400 trees on public property
• Planting 66 native trees on public property and providing an annual subscription for tree inventory software
• Training 6 urban naturalists including an urban naturalist coordinator, facilitated through a sub-award to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
• Planting 670 native trees on public property and completing a community tree inventory, through a sub-award to Wesselman Nature Society, Inc.
• Planting 334 native trees on public property and completing a community tree inventory, through a sub-award to the City of New Albany, Indiana's Redevelopment Commission.

The grant aims to restore and expand tree canopy in underserved communities, providing ecosystem services, social, and economic benefits. The federal program focuses on enabling disadvantaged groups like tribes, nonprofits, and educational institutions to lead local forestry projects.