(Augusta, ME) Maine’s Project Canopy, a program of the Department of Conservation’s Maine Forest Service, recently awarded more than $250,000 to 44 communities to support local community forestry efforts. The Project Canopy Assistance Program is supported by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program, a national initiative designed to strengthen the connections between people and their environment.

Project Canopy assistance grants support sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and improve the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance. The 2008 grant program focused on sustainable management of town forest resources.

More than 170 municipalities own approximately 150,000 acres of forestland. These properties, often referred to as town forests, range from 4 acres to over 17,000 acres and are a valuable source of clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and revenue. As Maine towns become more urbanized and open space is converted to other uses, retention of town forest properties and greenspace has become critically important to maintaining community health and quality of life. Eliot, Falmouth, Liberty, Litchfield, Medomak Valley Land Trust, Monmouth, New Forest Institute (Brooks), Sanford, Vinalhaven Land Trust and the York County Soil and Water Conservation District are among the communities and organizations committed to developing Maine Forest Service WoodsWISE plans for town forest resources in their communities.

In addition to supporting town forest management planning, Project Canopy awarded grants to Bar Harbor, Bath, Belfast, Brownville, Farmington, Freeport, Gardiner, Greenville, Hallowell, Kennebunk, Kittery, Lisbon, Maine Seacoast Mission, Morris Farm Trust, Old Orchard Beach, Presque Isle, Readfield, Rockland, Standish, Stockton Springs, Strong, Van Buren, Waterville and Westbrook to conduct community based tree planting and maintenance projects. Castine, Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Downeast Salmon Federation, Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, Lewiston, Rumford, Topsham, Veazie and Vital Pathways (Houlton) were awarded grants to conduct a variety of community forestry planning and education projects.

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Project Canopy is a cooperative effort of the Maine Forest Service and the Pine Tree State Arboretum. More information about Project Canopy is available on the web, at www.maineforestservice.gov/projectcanopy. Those interested in the program may also contact Jan Santerre by phone at (207) 287-4987, or by e-mail at Jan.santerre@maine.gov.