Euclid, Ohio - The City of Euclid has been awarded a grant of $525,400.00 from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act. The money awarded will be used to fund the completion of an Urban Forestry Master Planning Initiative, help increase community capacity to use urban trees and forests in public space planning, and help fund a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees and urban forest ecosystems as essential contributors to community sustainability and resilience.

Euclid's Community Development Manager, Ed Chenock, wrote the grant application requesting funds for the Urban Forestry Master Planning Initiative after the City received similar grants through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Urban Canopy Restoration Grant program in both 2022 and 2023. Euclid will use part of the funds from this most recent award to complete a citywide tree inventory started in 2021, to prepare a uniform master urban forestry plan, and to hire a full-time urban forester to help carry out the City's arboricultural initiatives.

The expected accomplishments from these initiatives include a complete citywide tree inventory, a comprehensive urban forestry master plan, and the reinstatement of an office of urban forestry. Euclid plans to partner with Davey Resource Group and the Euclid Shade Tree Commission on these initiatives, further strengthening the city's efforts to improve its green infrastructure.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail expressed her excitement about the award, stating, "This is a great opportunity for Euclid to continue the efforts to improve our urban forestry program. We are grateful for the support from the USDA Forest Service and are excited to see the positive impact this grant will have on our community."

This grant will also help Euclid continue its commitment to sustainability by conserving forests through sustainable management practices, which is essential for maintaining the ecological, economic, and social benefits that forests provide. Euclid seeks to develop an action plan that ensures its management plan is in line with sustainable forest conservation efforts.

The City of Euclid is thrilled to have been awarded this grant and looks forward to working with its partners to complete the Urban Forestry Master Planning Initiative. Euclid is committed to enhancing its green infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its residents and this grant is an important step towards achieving those goals.