New York State Contract Reporter #2136501

New York State Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant – Urban Forestry Project Funding

This opportunity supports urban and community forestry projects across New York State through the Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant (Round 2), administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Urban and Community Forestry Program. - Approximately $20 million in grant funding is available for eligible projects - Minimum grant: $300,000 - Maximum grant: $3,000,000 - Eligible applicants: public entities and not-for-profit organizations with projects on public or publicly accessible not-for-profit land - Main project types funded: - Afforestation/Reforestation: Establishing new forests or supplementing existing ones using native or approved species - Includes site preparation, tree planting, tree protection, and maintenance to achieve survival rates (65% for bare root, 75% for containerized stock) - Forest Stand Restoration/Competing Vegetation Control: Restoring forest health by controlling invasive or competing vegetation (mechanical/chemical treatments, herbicide application, site prep, planting, and tree protection) - Deer Exclosure: Installation of wildlife exclusion fencing or natural slash walls (minimum 8 feet tall) to protect seedlings, with maintenance and monitoring for at least 10 years - Supported services include: - Contract agroforestry specialists, site preparation, hydroseeding, fence installation and repair, contract planting, after care, and volunteer coordination - Notable requirements: - Emphasis on native species, invasive species control, and long-term forest health - Long-term maintenance and monitoring (up to 10 years) expected at the bidder's expense - Bidders must be prequalified and comply with state certifications and reporting - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is a grant for project funding rather than a procurement of goods or branded products

Description

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering approximately $20,000,000 in grants for the second round of Community Reforestation (CoRe) projects. These grants support the expansion, restoration, and establishment of healthy forested natural areas in or near urban communities across New York State, focusing on mitigating extreme heat and promoting urban forest resilience. The program is part of the 25 Million Trees Initiative and targets public land or not-for-profit land open to the public. Applications are due by November 4, 2026, and the contract term is five years.

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