Forestry

The Urban and Community Forestry Program assists communities, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions by providing tools and information to promote forest stewardship in communities. The Forestry Division provides assistance through district urban forestry representatives from the seven districts, many of whom are ISA Certified Arborists. These individuals work closely with communities, schools, and non-profit staff and volunteers to increase public awareness about the value of community trees. 

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division awarded Urban & Community Forestry Grants to five entities for the 2021 grant cycle:   

• City of Casa – Healthy Shade Food Forest Project
• City of Goshen – Goshen Trees and Parks Project
• City of Walnut Ridge – Stewart Park Improvement Project
• Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation – Open Space Assessment and Glade Restoration Project
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service – Green Parking Lot Demonstration Projects in Mountain Home and Searcy

The Forestry Division ranked proposals based on criteria that included: improvements to a community’s tree management program; implementation plan for the project; level of community involvement; educational components; and tree care with long-term maintenance planning. Communities that participate in the Tree City USA, Tree Campus, and Tree Line programs received additional ranking points. Projects funded in 2021 must be completed by August 31, 2023. For more information about the grant program, contact Kristine (Krissy) Kimbro at kristine.kimbro@agriculture.arkansas.gov  or 479-228-7929.

This program is made possible through a grant from the USDA Forest Service