Home Depot Launches $100M Development Plan

Atlanta (May 30, 2007)- The Home Depot Foundation today announced a 10-year, $100 million plan aimed to make communities healthier and more stable. The funds, addressing two main areas, will help support the development of 100,000 affordable, healthy homes, and the planting and preservation of more than 3 million trees over the next decade.

Cooperative Forestry Partnership Grants- Deadline: July 13

The USDA Forest Service is offering a one-time grant opportunity to highlight examples of landscape-scale partnerships involving forest restoration and the use of woody biomass. Funding will be provided to support 10-12 projects, which demonstrate working partnerships among Conservation Districts, RC&D Councils, State Foresters, local government, and community-based groups.

Urban Trees Deliver Energy Conservation

Findings from monitoring and computer simulation studies indicate that trees can be a cost-effective energy conservation measure for some electric utilities. Simulations suggest that a single 25-ft tall tree can reduce annual heating and cooling costs of a typical residence by 8 to 12 percent ($10-25). Assuming annual savings of $10 per household, a nationwide residential tree planting program could eventually save about $1 billion each year.

Raising Money Through Commemorative Tree Plantings Webcast- June 21

The first in a monthly series of Brown Bag Lunch webcasts. Commemorative tree plantings are a great way to honor an individual, family member, or special occasion while raising funds for your organization and furthering your mission. By involving neighborhood leaders, business partners, and other players involved, this is a great way to gain recognition not only for urban and community forestry, but also for your organization. Led by Joan Lionetti of Trees for Tucson and Scott Fogarty of Friends of Trees.

Energy Bill Would Support Urban Trees

Washington, DC (June 18, 2007)- ACT is working with Congresswoman Matsui (D-CA) to create a program in the Department of Energy to help utilities and nonprofit organizations plant shade trees for energy efficiency. Modeled after Sacramento Municipal Utility District's successful partnership with Sacramento Tree Foundation, Rep. Matsui's bill would provide focused support from DOE to plant trees in locations where direct energy savings can be achieved.

Alliant and Aquila Support Trees & Energy Efficiency

(Marion, IA)- Trees Forever partners with local utility companies to sponsor energy-efficient reforestation and beautification projects in towns and cities throughout Iowa. Through these collaborative efforts, the first of which began 17 years ago, 1.1 million landscape-size trees have been planted by more than 131,000 volunteers in over 450 communities. A total of 2,696 matching grants have been provided.