Groton To Receive State Grant Funds To Plant Trees

GROTON, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP) on Tuesday officially announced over $950,000 in Urban & Community Forestry Trees for Communities grants were awarded to support nine projects across Connecticut municipalities and nonprofits, including in Groton.

The grant program supports urban forestry projects that increase tree cover and contribute to urban forestry objectives in low-canopy communities, according to an announcement from CT-DEEP.

Funded projects will conduct activities such as tree planting and maintenance, urban wood utilization, community outreach, and workforce development.

Community-centered planting in Groton was funded, with the Nature Conservancy being awarded $61,787. The organization, along with the Town of Groton and the City of Groton, will engage residents to plant 40 trees in neighborhoods with lower canopy coverage.

This effort supports the implementation of Groton’s 2024 Community Tree Management Plan by combining targeted planting with community engagement to strengthen stewardship and long-term urban forest health, according to the statement.

Funding for the Urban and Community Forestry Trees for Communities Grant Program, and the Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act.

"These grants invest in communities across Connecticut — from our urban neighborhoods to our rural towns — by expanding tree canopy where it’s needed most," said CT-DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes in an announcement. "In addition to advancing Governor Lamont’s goal of increasing tree cover by 5 percent in environmental justice communities, this funding helps address the threats of climate change by mitigating heat and pollution, managing stormwater runoff, and improving health and quality of life for residents."