The City of Watertown has been awarded a $5,000 grant to help with tree planting as part of the Community Reforestation Project. The planting of 165 trees will take place within the Arsenal Street Parking Lot, along Main Avenue, and other locations in the City.

Governor Pataki announced the award as part of nearly $448,000 in urban and community forestry grants to 42 communities across the state. The awards support tree planting and forestry programs that will enhance community landscapes and provide environmental benefits to residents in urban and suburban areas.

The Urban and Community Forestry Grants program is administered by the State DEC, which is funded by New York State and the U.S. Forest Service. The grants are available to cities, villages, towns and not-for-profit organizations.

Communities receiving the grant must match the funds with in-kind service, donations, and project-related purchases such as additional trees. The trees will be planted on public property in designated areas such as inner cities, business districts, and school grounds. A second benefit of these grants is the educational component of each project, which helps schoolchildren and area residents learn about tree planting, care and maintenance, and the benefits of urban trees.