These funds will be used to support land management activities on state and private lands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 9 - Eastern Region, awarded $776,960 to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on August 4, 2025, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) for a statewide urban and community forestry initiative extending through September 20, 2029. The project delivers land management activities on state and private lands through a multi-stakeholder partnership comprising public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Primary products and services include survey, monitoring, suppression, prevention, and eradication activities, supported by comprehensive public outreach and education programming designed to increase awareness of tree canopy benefits, tree health maintenance, and community forest planning among Pennsylvania's urban and suburban residents.

The initiative aims to enhance quality of life for Pennsylvanians by facilitating direct citizen and municipal action in urban and community forest improvement. Deliverables encompass tree planting programs, tree care services, and strategic tree planning assistance that enable communities to understand and implement sustainable forestry practices. By combining on-the-ground land management with targeted education efforts, the project positions citizens and municipalities to take meaningful action toward establishing and maintaining healthy urban forest ecosystems across Pennsylvania.

Project goals include, but are not limited to survey, monitoring, suppression, prevention, eradication, and outreach. This project is a statewide partnership made up of public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders. IT seeks to educate citizens and increase quality of life for pennsylvanians in urban and suburban settings through tree planting, tree care, and tree planning. The goal is to help citizens understand the myriad benefits of planting trees, the importance of keeping existing trees in the community healthy, and the value of sufficient tree canopy. The program also encourages and provides outlets for citizens and municipalities to take action to improve their urban and community forests.