Urban and Community Forestry Program, California Climate Investments (CCI) Grants: Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement (GGRF) - LA n Sync Funding ForecasterLA n Sync Funding Forecaster

Category/Topic
Environment

Level
State

Summary
The CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program works to optimize the benefits of trees and related vegetation through multiple-objective projects as specified in the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978 (Public Resources Code 4799.06-4799.12). These projects further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), result in a net greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit, and provide environmental services and cost-effective solutions to the needs of urban communities and local agencies. The Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement projects are for urban tree planting and planting of urban vegetation to reduce GHG emissions, tree and plant establishment care, and planting site preparation. In addition to tree planting, a project may also involve urban tree site improvements to create larger, more functional planting sites for trees and associated vegetation such as bioswales and acquisition of small, vacant parcels to be improved for purposes consistent with the California Urban Forestry Act.

Summary

The CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program works to optimize the benefits of trees and related vegetation through multiple-objective projects as specified in the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978 (Public Resources Code 4799.06-4799.12). These projects further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), result in a net greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit, and provide environmental services and cost-effective solutions to the needs of urban communities and local agencies.

The Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement projects are for urban tree planting and planting of urban vegetation to reduce GHG emissions, tree and plant establishment care, and planting site preparation. In addition to tree planting, a project may also involve urban tree site improvements to create larger, more functional planting sites for trees and associated vegetation such as bioswales and acquisition of small, vacant parcels to be improved for purposes consistent with the California Urban Forestry Act.

Eligible Entities
K-12 School Districts, Local Public Agencies, Nonprofit Organizations

Eligibility Notes
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, qualifying districts, or nonprofit organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (PRC §5096.605). Districts include, but are not limited to, school, park, recreation, water, and local taxing districts. Eligible projects must: – Result in a net GHG benefit calculated using ARB’s FY 2017-18 quantification methodology. – Create, develop, and implement of projects that improve, expand, and maintain healthy urban forests. – Be located in or immediately adjacent to an “urban area” or “urban cluster” as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. (http://www.census.gov/geo/www/ua/2010urbanruralclass.html) – Have a commitment for active participation from one or more of the following: local residents, local business, local nonprofit group or local government. The project must show that the community where the project will occur was, and will continue to be, authentically engaged about the project. – Display a sign with the logos and names of all organizations participating in the project, including the CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program. The sign must also cite the funding source, CCI. – Include an education and outreach component. Not more than 20% of grant funds may be used for this component. This component, as part of the overall project, may be shown as project match dollars by the applicant if so desired. – Agree to provide maintenance on all trees planted (including replacement) for at least three years after project completion. Evidence of long term care for the trees must also be shown. – Adhere to Appendix I at a minimum regarding any tree planting within the project. Failure to follow the Standards in Appendix I will lead CAL FIRE to require replacement of the trees at the grantee’s cost. The Standards are also listed at the following web site: http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/downloads/CALFIRE_Nursery_Standards_and_Specs11_12 .pdf – Select tree and plant species that are classified as very low, low, or moderate water use species in the WUCOLS IV site at http://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS/ or are justified for the planting site(s) selected.

Eligibility Notes

Eligible applicants include cities, counties, qualifying districts, or nonprofit organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (PRC §5096.605). Districts include, but are not limited to, school, park, recreation, water, and local taxing districts.

Eligible projects must:
– Result in a net GHG benefit calculated using ARB’s FY 2017-18 quantification methodology.
– Create, develop, and implement of projects that improve, expand, and maintain healthy urban forests.
– Be located in or immediately adjacent to an “urban area” or “urban cluster” as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. (http://www.census.gov/geo/www/ua/2010urbanruralclass.html)
– Have a commitment for active participation from one or more of the following: local residents, local business, local nonprofit group or local government. The project must show that the community where the project will occur was, and will continue to be, authentically engaged about the project.
– Display a sign with the logos and names of all organizations participating in the project, including the CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program. The sign must also cite the funding source, CCI.
– Include an education and outreach component. Not more than 20% of grant funds may be used for this component. This component, as part of the overall project, may be shown as project match dollars by the applicant if so desired.
– Agree to provide maintenance on all trees planted (including replacement) for at least three years after project completion. Evidence of long term care for the trees must also be shown.
– Adhere to Appendix I at a minimum regarding any tree planting within the project. Failure to follow the Standards in Appendix I will lead CAL FIRE to require replacement of the trees at the grantee’s cost. The Standards are also listed at the following web site: http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/downloads/CALFIRE_Nursery_Standards_and_Specs11_12 .pdf
– Select tree and plant species that are classified as very low, low, or moderate water use species in the WUCOLS IV site at http://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS/ or are justified for the planting site(s) selected.

Due Date
Feb 26, 2018

Due Date Notes
Concept proposals are due February 26, 2018 by 3:00 p.m. CAL FIRE will notify all applicants that submitted concept proposals via letter if their proposal has been selected for to submit a full project application or not in early winter. The due date for the full project application varies from year to year though is anticipated for late winter.

Min Award
$150,000

Max Award
$1,500,000

Total Possible Multi-Year Award
$1,500,000

Annual or Multi-Year?
Annual

Preliminary Items
Applicants are encouraged to work with local CAL FIRE Regional Urban Foresters in the planning and development of proposals prior to the grant program advertisement each year. Regional Urban Foresters are available for advice and technical expertise in planning of projects. A list of CAL Fire Regional Urban Foresters can be found in Appendix H of the solicitation.

Match Required?
Yes

Match Notes
There is a minimum 25% match, which can be met with in-kind activities or materials related to the project, as well as any State funding source related to the project that is not the same as the State source of funding awarded by CAL FIRE. The proportion of the project’s cost funded by CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry shall not be greater than 75%. However, projects that meet the criteria for being located in or benefiting a disadvantaged community or a low income community will be eligible to have their cost share requirement reduced or completely waived by CAL FIRE. This request must be made during the concept proposal process by checking the appropriate box on the form.

Match Notes

There is a minimum 25% match, which can be met with in-kind activities or materials related to the project, as well as any State funding source related to the project that is not the same as the State source of funding awarded by CAL FIRE. The proportion of the project’s cost funded by CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry shall not be greater than 75%.

However, projects that meet the criteria for being located in or benefiting a disadvantaged community or a low income community will be eligible to have their cost share requirement reduced or completely waived by CAL FIRE. This request must be made during the concept proposal process by checking the appropriate box on the form.

Funder
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

Total Amount Available for All Grants
$17,500,000

Competition Notes
An applying entity may only submit up to 3 total grant proposals for consideration. 75% of the appropriation for this program is allotted to projects meeting the ARB criteria for being located within AB 1550 communities. As directed by AB 1550, Cal EPA has identified disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, low-income households statewide, and low-income community and low-income households that are within ½-mile of a disadvantaged community for investment. Disadvantaged communities are those areas that are disproportionately affected by multiple types of pollution and areas with vulnerable populations. Low income communities and low-income households are those that are either at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income, or at or below the threshold designated as low-income by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) 2016 State Income Limits. Cal EPA uses CalEnviroScreen 3.0 (https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-30) to identify disadvantaged communities, low income communities, and low-income households. Maps that show the disadvantaged community and low income community census tracts and those tracts with a ½ mile around the tract boundary are at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/communityinvestments.htm.

Competition Notes

An applying entity may only submit up to 3 total grant proposals for consideration.

75% of the appropriation for this program is allotted to projects meeting the ARB criteria for being located within AB 1550 communities. As directed by AB 1550, Cal EPA has identified disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, low-income households statewide, and low-income community and low-income households that are within ½-mile of a disadvantaged community for investment. Disadvantaged communities are those areas that are disproportionately affected by multiple types of pollution and areas with vulnerable populations. Low income communities and low-income households are those that are either at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income, or at or below the threshold designated as low-income by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) 2016 State Income Limits.

Cal EPA uses CalEnviroScreen 3.0 (https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-30) to identify disadvantaged communities, low income communities, and low-income households. Maps that show the disadvantaged community and low income community census tracts and those tracts with a ½ mile around the tract boundary are at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/communityinvestments.htm.

Resources
Opportunity Posting or Webpage