The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) is seeking to work with 10 communities to support the development of town forest recreation and stewardship plans. This program will provide technical planning assistance to Vermont communities interested in addressing issues and opportunities in the use and stewardship of their town forest, a value of up to $10,000 per town. Participating communities will receive technical assistance from a multi-disciplinary consultant team for the development of a town forest action plan.
Applications are due June 1, 2017
Community Assistance Program Overview
Community Assistance Program Application
Eligibility Requirements
Communities and potential projects must meet the following criteria:
- The parcel must be publicly owned or in the process of becoming publicly owned.
- Letter of support from selectboard, municipal official, or municipal board, that identifies willingness to fully engage in this effort and officially adopt the action plan developed through this program. Please include a letter of support with the application.
- Community demonstrates the necessary local leadership and capacity for carrying out the planning and implementation of this initiative. Example structures include existing volunteer citizen advisory groups such as town forest or conservation commissions, or through the establishment of a new or ad hoc committee to steer and guide this initiative.
Interested in applying? Here’s how to get started:
STEP 1. Submit An Application.
Communities are asked to submit an application that provides a short overview of needs, describes community support and readiness to engage in this community planning process, and identifies desired outcomes of the planning process. Don’t forget to include supporting materials with the application, including a letter of municipal support, maps, related documents, etc…
Applications are due June 1, 2017.
Please note: Please be sure you fully open the application before you begin filling it out (depending on your browser, you may need to download it completely). When finished, click on “Submit Your Application”. A small window should pop up labeled “Send Email”. If you do not get the new window “Send Email” and complete the last steps it calls for, you have not actually submitted your application. If you have any questions regarding the submission of your application, please contact [email protected].
STEP 2. Community Presentation and Interview
A select group of applicants may be asked to provide a 10-minute presentation to the review committee. This presentation can be done in person, on the phone, or online. The presentation/interview will be scheduled for July 18th or 19th. Please mark your calendars now!
All applicants will be notified of final decisions by August 1, 2017.
If you have questions, please contact Kate Forrer at [email protected] or 802-476-2003 ext 210.
This program is being offered in partnership with FPR Recreation Program, the Agency of Commerce, and Community Development, and UVM Extension’s Vermont Tourism Research Center, and was funded in part by a grant from the USDA Forest Service.