Albion village receives $38K state grant for tree initiative
File photo by Tom Rivers: A beech tree is pictured on March 1, 2017 at the corner of Beaver and Liberty streets in Albion. The tree is one of the older trees in the village.
ALBION – The Village of Albion has been approved for a $38,260 state grant for a tree inventory and management plan. The funding was announced today by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, part of $2.24 million in grants for urban forestry projects to protect air quality, water quality and natural resources across the state.
The village doesn’t have to provide any local dollars for the project. An outside organization will do an inventory of all the village-owned trees in the community, including at parks and Mount Albion Cemetery. There will be hazard rating to identify trees that should be removed and spots identified for new trees to be planted.
The village will also be given a recommendation for diverse tree plantings that would thrive in the village. A variety of trees would also protect the village from losing a large percentage of trees to blight.
The grants are part of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, which helps communities develop and implement comprehensive tree planting, management, maintenance, and education to create healthy forests while enhancing quality of life for residents.
“Continued investments in New York’s urban forestry programs promote clean air, clean water, energy savings, and habitat creation,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a news release. “Thanks to Governor Cuomo, funding for these grants was made available through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund, providing crucial assistance for communities to manage their forests, particularly trees lost to the invasive emerald ash borer.”
The village also will soon be receiving a $300,000 grant with State Sen. Rob Ortt’s help that will pay for a Vactor or vacuum truck that can be used when the village Department of Public Works does water and sewer repairs.
