The Toledo Urban Forestry Commission was created by City Ordinance on March 13, 1990. It is a volunteer board whose members are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Toledo. The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City's Forestry Operation and as an advocate for our urban forest.
Proceeds from mulch sales from the woodlot operated by the City of Toledo Forestry Operation are deposited into a trust account managed by the City of Toledo. The Commission recommends expenditures from this trust that support the Forestry Operation, programming, educational opportunities, grants and Tree City events such as Arbor Day.
Tree City USA Program
Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement providing the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their urban trees.
The Urban Forestry Commission has been active in the City of Toledo's efforts to become and maintain our Tree City designation. Toledo first became a Tree City in 1979.
More than 3,400 communities have joined Toledo in this commitment. To yearly earn this designation, four core standards of urban forestry standards must be met: maintain a tree board or department; have a community tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrate Arbor Day.
Benefits of Trees:
- Trees enhance economic stability by attracting businesses; people linger and shop longer when trees are present.
- Where a canopy of trees exists, apartments and offices rent more quickly and have a higher occupancy rate; workers report more productivity and less absenteeism.
- Trees provide inviting and cool areas for recreation and relaxation such as playgrounds and parks.
- Trees create a tapestry of color and interesting form that changes throughout the year.
- The color green is calming and relieves eye strain.
- Trees screen unattractive views and soften the harsh outline of masonry, metal, asphalt, steel and glass.
- People walk and jog more on shaded streets, which encourages interaction with neighbors and improves the sense of community.
- Trees absorb and block sound, reducing noise pollution by as much as 40 percent.
The Neighborhood Trees Matching Grants Program
Offers matching grants of up to $9500 to qualified persons or organizations for the purchase, planting, and/or maintenance of trees in public spaces located within the City of Toledo limits. Grant proposals are reviewed by the Urban Forestry Commission and awarded at the commission’s discretion, with the advice and input of the professional staff at the City of Toledo’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry.
Types of Projects:
- Tree Planting
- Memorial Planting
- Beautification Project
- Mature Tree Care
- Fruit Tree Orchard
Requirements:
To be eligible for the program, a project must meet the following minimum requirements:
- The project must be located within the City of Toledo
- Funds will be provided only to the extent that a dollar-for-dollar match is available from some person or organization other than the Urban
Forestry Commission. - The funds must be used for the purchase and/or planting of new trees, or for improving the quality or survivability of existing trees.
- The project must be located in or benefit a space open to the general public.
Note: The commission will consider projects in which the matching funds are used for purposes other than purchasing or
planting new trees or improving the quality or survivability of existing trees. For instance, if a neighborhood group offers to pay for the installation of a new playground in a park, the funds for the playground may be counted as a match for funds from the Urban Forestry Commission to install new trees around the playground. The determination of which funds shall be counted as “matching” is at the sole discretion of the Urban Forestry Commission.
Grant Considerations
The Urban Forestry Commission will consider the following factors when considering specific projects for funding:
- Neighborhood/community support
- Positive impact on immediate and surrounding neighborhoods
- Positive impact on the City of Toledo
- Integration with existing neighborhood/community/city planning efforts
- Effectiveness of long-term maintenance plans for the project
- Other factors deemed significant by the Urban Forestry Commission
Projects must be completed within 12 months of approval. The Urban Forestry commmission may ask for site photos, perform a site inspection, or invoices as evidence that the project has been complete.
Application Procedure
Submit Application
Specify Amount
The application should specify the amount and source of matching funding, and address the items identified under Grant Considerations.
Review
Applications will normally be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting of the Commission, which generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Board Members
President, Al Johnson
Vice President, Amy Stone
Treasurer, Gavin Smith
Recording Secretary, Salley Eddy
Tom McDonald
Don Godfrey
Charlie Johnson
Penny Bollin
Rachell Tippett