MICROGRANT PROGRAM
The Microgrant Program was created by the Texas Urban Forestry Council to promote the benefits and the value of Texas urban and community forest resources, recognizing their contributions to public infrastructure and human health. Our goal is to engage citizens within their communities and expand support for sustainable urban and community forest management throughout Texas. A microgrant of $1,500 is issued twice a year, with deadlines to apply being February 15th and September 15th. A 1:1 match is required.
Preference will be given to application submitted by those who have achieved Tree City, Tree Campus, or Tree Line USA status, present projects that include innovative or unique qualities, involve numerous partners, and showcase a level of professional experience.
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PAST AWARDEES
TREES OF GOVALLE
Based on Forklift Danceworks' nearly 15 year history of creating unique, community-based civic events, "Trees of Govalle" was a free, outdoor performance featuring Urban Forestry employees. Using the everyday movements of the employees, "Trees of Govalle" highlighted the artistry of the challenging and often hidden work of Urban Forestry employees who maintain and nurture the city’s vital green spaces and educate and engage the public in the care of the city’s Urban Forest and their own trees.
Sun Country Landscape Conference
Los Tree Amigos, members of West Texas Urban Forestry Council, organized Sun Country Landscape Conference, drawing speakers and attendees from across the southwest to share ideas.
WIMBERLEY RETREET II
RETREET, a Dallas-based nonprofit that redefines disaster relief by engaging communities to replant lost trees, led 110 volunteers representing 5 states and Mexico planted 201 trees, all 1.5" caliper in size, at 50 homes in Wimberley, TX, and in Burnett Ranch Community Park to help that community recover from a devastating 1,000 year flood.
TREE ID WALK
Two Tree ID Walks, a community engagement program run by TreeFolks in Austin, took place at University of Texas and in Mayfield Park. Both drew about 30 participants.
NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE
The Bayou Land Conservancy in Houston held "No Child Left Inside," a program that puts the "field" back in field trips by bringing middle and high school students out to one of BLC's preserves. Students in the program learn water quality, watershed and aquatic science studies, and forest studies as well as invasive species identification and removal.
URBAN FORESTRY LICENSE PLATE
In 2003, the Texas Urban Forestry Council initiated and saw the successful passage of a bill in the Texas legislature that authorized a Texas urban forestry license plate. Texans who purchase the urban forestry license plate will pay an additional $30.00 to the Texas Department of Transportation. Of the $30.00, $8.00 will be allocated to TXDOT, while the remaining $22.00 will be deposited into a treasury account which will be sent to the Texas Urban Forestry Council. In turn, the council will spend all funds on urban forestry education, preservation, and tree planting through the microgrant program.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GRADY MCGAHAN, President (Dallas)
ROBERT YOUNG, Past-President (Austin)
EVAN ANDERSON, Secretary (Huntsville)
PAUL HOWARD, Treasurer (Conroe)
JOHN GIEDRAITIS (College Station)
CORDELIA RASA (McAllen)
LISSA MARTINEZ (San Antonio)
VERN AUTREY (El Paso)
EUGENE GEHRING (Dallas)
GRETCHEN RILEY, Texas A&M Forest Service Liaison (College Station)