Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia: (216) 250-5863; jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.us

With More Than 10,000 Trees Planted Through First Four Rounds, Impact to Continue Across County

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - Cuyahoga County will soon begin accepting applications for the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy (HUTC) Grant program. This is the fifth round of grants that support communities planting thousands of trees across the County.

The Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant program was created in 2019 to align with the County’s Climate Change Action Plan. The program initiated an annual contribution of $1 million per year to revitalize the tree canopy across Cuyahoga County. Since the first round of grants, 41 applicants from 25 municipalities have been awarded funds for 97 tree projects, resulting in 27 tree plans, eight maintenance plans, investment in two new tree nurseries in Cuyahoga County, and more than 10,000 trees planted.

"Planting trees is not just about enhancing the beauty of our communities; it's a crucial step in combating climate change," said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. Now, more than ever, we must find ways to be good stewards of our natural resources. The Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant program is a powerful tool for communities to grow tree canopies. We strongly encourage communities and nonprofits to apply for this grant program."

The latest round of HUTC grants will continue to support the preservation of existing canopy and the expansion of new tree canopy through community and high-impact reforestation projects. The grants will award funds for tree planting, maintenance, and plans. The Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program gathers data about each project to monitor success and better inform project selection and funding for each successive year of grant funding.

"Growing our tree canopy is critical to ensuring our County is healthy and resilient in the face of climate change," said Cuyahoga County Deputy Chief of Staff for Climate and Sustainability Jenita McGowan. "Trees keep our neighborhoods cooler during extreme heat and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The Healthy Urban Tree Canopy is an outstanding partnership with municipalities and nonprofits that will positively impact our communities both now and for generations to come."

HUTC program partners include the County Planning Commission, the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

"Urban forests, when properly managed, offer many benefits to municipalities and significantly contribute to neighborhood vitality," remarks Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Executive Director Mary Cierebiej. "Trees are critical infrastructure, contributing to cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality, stormwater control, and increased property values. As we enter the fifth year of the HUTC, we continue to witness the program's growing popularity, enabling communities to establish and maintain urban forests that will benefit us for generations to come. "

The application portal will go live on Monday, April 29, and applications are due June 6. Application materials and resources can be found on the County Planning Commission website. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for the free applicant webinar on Friday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m.