The Georgia Tree Council (GTC) and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, announce the Georgia ReLeaf program. This program makes funding available to municipalities, government agencies, non-profits and educational institutions in Georgia for tree planting and tree-giveaway projects.
Funding for this Program (Legislative Authority)
The USDA Forest Service, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act* and the Community Forestry Assistance Act of the 1990 Farm Bill, has allocated funding to the Georgia Forestry Commission for statewide distribution, in partnership with the Georgia Tree Council.
To advance the mission of Justice40, proposals should deliver the benefits of IRA investments through established partnerships with local organizations working to support disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice, in addition to inequitable access to nature.
Therefore, the priority of the Georgia ReLeaf program is DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES as per the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). CEJST is a geospatial mapping tool to identify census tracts that are overburdened by climate change, pollution or other environmental or socioeconomic factors. These communities are considered disadvantaged because they are overburdened and underserved.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Georgia ReLeaf Program are to:
1) Contribute to tree equity in disadvantaged communities.
2) Improve the environmental, economic, and social health of Georgia communities.
3) Help sustain health and diversity in Georgia’s community forests.
4) Improve planning efforts of city administrators, municipal tree departments and tree boards.
5) Increase environmental and health benefits to combat the effects of climate change.
Projects submitted must be for 1) Tree Planting projects and/or 2) Tree Giveaway events which meet at least one of the program objectives.
Maximum grant award is $15,000.
For complete grant guidelines and to submit an application, please visit the Georgia ReLeaf page on the Georgia Tree Council’s website. **Application period will open late summer 2024**
*Inflation Reduction Act Subtitle D, Sec. 23003 (a). State and Private Forestry Conservation Programs
Helpful Resources
| Title | Description | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1. GA Tree Owners Manual | From Planting to Maintenance | |
| 2. GFC and Georgia ReLeaf Grant Program – How to Plant a 5 Gallon Containerized Tree | How to plant a containerized tree from a Georgia ReLeaf Tree Giveaway. | Video |
| 3. Community Tree Planting and Establishment Guidelines | This Document is intended to aid homeowners and local government staff in planting and directing the establishment and maintenance of community trees. | |
| 4. Tree Planning and Planting Campaign: A Guide for Reforesting Cities and Towns | This document is a guide to reforesting cities and towns. | |
| 5. How to Plant Trees – A Homeowner’s Guide | “How do I plant a tree?” This is a common question, and tree planting and establishment guidelines have changed considerably over the past 20 years. Learning how to plant a tree and following proper practices when planting trees can lead to long term benefits from well established plants. | |
| 6 Tree Giveaway Checklist | Checklist for planning and executing a Georgia ReLeaf-funded Tree Giveaway |