Improving Georgia communities by increasing tree canopy
The Georgia ReLeaf program provides funds for tree planting projects and/or tree giveaway events. By increasing tree canopy in Georgia communities, the ReLeaf program seeks to:
- Contribute to tree equity in disadvantaged communities
- Improve the environmental, economic, and social health of Georgia communities
- Help sustain health and diversity in Georgia’s community forests
- Improve planning efforts of city administrators, municipal tree departments and tree boards
- Increase environmental and health benefits to combat the effects of climate change.
The Georgia Tree Council (GTC) and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, partner in administering the Georgia ReLeaf program. This program makes funding available to municipalities, government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions in Georgia for tree planting and tree-giveaways. Currently, funding is focused on projects benefiting disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice. The USDA Forest Service, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Community Forestry Assistance Act of the 1990 Farm Bill, has allocated funding to the Georgia Forestry Commission for statewide distribution, in partnership with the Georgia Tree Council.
Funding is for the purchase of trees: staking, mulching, and watering materials (if needed); and tree installation costs (if needed) only.
Maximum grant award: $15,000.
Match Requirements: If 100% of the project is serving a disadvantaged community, your project is eligible for a match waiver as per the IRA guidelines. To justify the match waiver, verification of the project’s location on the CEJST tool must be provided along with a written explanation of how the project will impact a disadvantaged community.
Deadline for submissions: 2025 Application period will be late spring/summer; check back for details soon*
The priority of the Georgia ReLeaf program is DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES as per the https://edgi-govdata-archiving.github.io/j40-cejst-2/en/#3/33.47/-97.5(CEJST) mapping tool. CEJST is a geospatial mapping tool to identify census tracts that are overburdened by climate change, pollution or other environmental or socioeconomic factors. These communities are considered disadvantaged because they are overburdened and underserved.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Georgia ReLeaf Program are to:
1) Contribute to tree equity in disadvantaged communities.
2) Improve the environmental, economic, and social health of Georgia communities
3) Help sustain health and diversity in Georgia’s community forests
4) Improve planning efforts of city administrators, municipal tree departments and tree boards
5) Increase environmental and health benefits to combat the effects of climate change.
2023-2024 Georgia ReLeaf projects
2023-2024 Georgia ReLeaf projects
- Savannah Tree Foundation
- Chatham County
- Colquitt
- Winterville
- City of Dublin
- Tifton
- Rome
- Lawrenceville
- Keep Warner Robins Beautiful
- Toccoa
- Hands On Thomas County
- Brunswick Tree Board
- Thomaston
- City of Valdosta
- Cedartown
- Cornelia
- Oxford
- Newborn
