Hamden Awarded State Grant For Tree Project

HAMDEN, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP) this week officially announced more than $950,000 in Urban & Community Forestry Trees for Communities grants were awarded to support nine projects across Connecticut, including in Hamden.

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.

Hamden will receive $120,014 for the Trees for Southern Hamden project.

“The project emphasizes education, outreach, and local partnerships while planting and maintaining 120 trees on public and private land,” according to a news release from CT DEEP. “By building long-term stewardship and local capacity, southern Hamden will see reduced heat impacts, healthier neighborhoods, and a more resilient urban forest.”

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," CT DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in the 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."