Governor Hochul and DEC Commissioner Seggos Announce New Grant Funding for Urban and Community Forestry on Arbor Day

New York State is celebrating Arbor Day by offering $3 million in grants for urban and community forestry projects. These projects will help enhance the health and beauty of local trees and forests, which provide many benefits to the environment and people. The grants are available to municipalities, Indian Nations, and not-for-profit organizations that want to improve their community forestry programs.

The announcement of the new grant funding was made by Governor Kathy Hochul and DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos at an Arbor Day tree planting event in Albany. They were joined by local partners and students from Eagle Point Elementary School, who helped plant trees at the school grounds. The event highlighted the importance of trees and the role of DEC in protecting and managing them.

Arbor Day is a national observance that dates back to 1872. It was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, food, fuel, and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April. The DEC is the state agency that oversees the environmental conservation and natural resources of New York State.